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It works - to some effect... And it allows the continuation of the "escalation management" policy by forbidding long-range ballistic missile strikes. There are many drawbacks to this policy; one is that you can not significantly damage the enemy air force in the bases with drones only. Drones can be numerous but they are too slow.Why the Pentagon is Betting Big on Long-Range Ukrainian Drones: 'It Works'
The United States is giving Ukraine $800 million in military support to manufacture long-range drones to counter Russia with its own weapons.www.airandspaceforces.com
Perhaps for now. I'm sure it might change. The AFU did have some Tu-141s they were tinkering around with. Isn't Antonov a Ukrainian company? I'm sure the enthusiasm and ability is there.Drones can be numerous but they are too slow.
Antanov's factory is located near Kyiv and was damaged pretty bad back in 2022.Perhaps for now. I'm sure it might change. The AFU did have some Tu-141s they were tinkering around with. Isn't Antonov a Ukrainian company? I'm sure the enthusiasm and ability is there.
It's certainly starting to feel that way: Is Russia leaning on Iran (not that they need persuading) to ramp up Hamas/Hezbollah activities? Growing infrastructure attacks in Europe; GPS interference; Nork cannon fodder heading to Ukraine; suspicious activity around North Sea oil facilities; etc., etc....... All of these might appear in a few years' time to be clear indicators of the transformation of the Special Military Clusterf**k into the next Big One. I really, really, REALLY hope I'm wrong, but........Maybe we are in WW3 and we don't know for sure that it had already started?
Russians Helped Houthis Target International Shipping: Report
The Houthis' anti-shipping campaign diverted a lot of attention from Russia's war in Ukraine.www.twz.com
But was Antonov's staff destroyed? That's where the engineering comes from. Not the buildings.Antanov's factory is located near Kyiv and was damaged pretty bad back in 2022.
If you recall, the An-225 transport that was destroyed in 2022, was parked at Antanov's airfield.
I like MiTasol's idea of converting F-4s into drones. I'd like to see 'em go out in mach 2 blaze of glory. What other planes might be available?US depots should be filled with mothballed jets that could be converted into large and fast drones ...........
Other nations may have older jets for sale
I believe a priority for Antanov at the moment, is resurrecting the An-225 by way of the spare airframe that survived the battle.But was Antonov's staff destroyed? That's where the engineering comes from. Not the buildings.
I proved I have a poor understanding of aerodynamics. I do believe, however, drone manufacture isn't as space intensive as it is developing an An 225.
I like the idea of converting F-111s. Replace the crew capsule with a large warhead. Have the jet come in fast, wings full swept. Would be able to do a dive in at about Mach 2.5 - 3 if from altitude or Mach 1.5 from sea level. You could run the TF30s almost to the point of destruction and not care since it is one big missile.I like MiTasol's idea of converting F-4s into drones. I'd like to see 'em go out in mach 2 blaze of glory. What other planes might be available?