"All of Vlad's forces and all of Vlad's men, are out to put Humpty together again." (8 Viewers)

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U.S.-supplied rocket systems enter the fight in Ukraine

U.S.-supplied HIMARS rocket systems apparently have fired their first shots at Russian forces. The Chief of Ukraine's General Staff Valeriy Zaluzhnyi has confirmed that American-made rocket launchers are already working and hitting targets in Russian-occupied parts of Ukraine. "Artillerymen of...

defence-blog.com

 

[Admiral Beez]

Most Manpads are heat seeking so IFF will not do much for you.

The trick is to identify friend or foe before you shoot, so that the missile's guidance system, heat or radar seaking doesn't matter. To that end Starstreak, Mistral, Stinger and SAAB's RBS 70 all come standard with aiming point IFF. But it only works if both the launcher and the potential friendly target are set up to communicate with each other. That's what I'm suggesting for these new helicopters.

 

[Dimlee]

I was clicking through various news articles. I saw one from the NY Post, a news outlet I usually disregard. It's article stated that rockets were fired from Belorussia into Ukraine. Any confirmation on this?

Confirmed. Not for the first time, Belarus has been used as a launching pad since day 1 of the invasion.

 

[Dimlee]

Moonfish, Juice and Sean.

 

[Admiral Beez]

Moonfish, Juice and Sean.

Sean Penn? Why does his opinion matter? Shall we ask Madonna next?

 

[SaparotRob]

I cannot help but doubt celebrity sincerity.

 

[GrauGeist]

The problem is, far too many people put stock on the opinions of celebrities and athletes.

I suppose in this case, it's good that most support Ukraine.

At least, in Penn's case, he's been active in helping refugees - so at least he's not just making noise.

 

[swampyankee]

If Russia continues to use Belarus, then in theory there is nothing to stop Ukraine using say Poland.

Regardless of that, this means Belarus is an active belligerent. Ukraine is perfectly justified in striking them

 

[buffnut453]

I cannot help but doubt celebrity sincerity.

Nor that of many politicians...sadly!

 

[GrauGeist]

To be honest, Ukraine has been remarkably restrained in limiting their strikes to within their borders.

As it stands, they are 100% justified in striking targets in Russia, Belarus and even the Russians in Transneistra.

Instead, they have taken the high road, stayed focused on immediate threats and avoided doing anything that can be used against them by the Russian spin-masters.

The people of Belarus see this and it's just a matter of time before the the people turn against Lukashanko.

 

[DerAdlerIstGelandet]

The trick is to identify friend or foe before you shoot, so that the missile's guidance system, heat or radar seaking doesn't matter. To that end Starstreak, Mistral, Stinger and SAAB's RBS 70 all come standard with aiming point IFF. But it only works if both the launcher and the potential friendly target are set up to communicate with each other. That's what I'm suggesting for these new helicopters.

See I'm thinking your standard Russian SA-7, SA-14, SA-16, or SA-18. IFF is meaningless for them. Its aim and shoot, and the seeker tracks s heat signature.

 

[DerAdlerIstGelandet]

Oh, and don't insult my intelligence please. I know "what the trick is." I used to help load our codes every day before flying combat missions in an area heavily contested by Manpads…

 

[Admiral Beez]

See I'm thinking your standard Russian SA-7, SA-14, SA-16, or SA-18. IFF is meaningless for them. Its aim and shoot, and the seeker tracks s heat signature.

But the topic was equipping Ukraine's new helicopters with IFF so that the UAF won't shoot them down. In that context why do you suggest that IFF won't be useful since the MANPADS used by the UAF don't have IFF, when at least those MANPADS supplied by NATO are thus equipped?

 

[Thumpalumpacus]

As pointed out in the discussion upthread, MANPADs generally don't have IFF receivers.

You may disagree, A Admiral Beez , but the discussion starting here. Maybe refresh your memory of that convo? I mean, you were posting right in the middle of it.

But the topic was equipping Ukraine's new helicopters with IFF so that the UAF won't shoot them down. In that context why do you suggest that IFF won't be useful since the MANPADS used by the UAF don't have IFF, when at least those MANPADS supplied by NATO are thus equipped?

Not all are Ukrainian MANPADs are so-equipped.

 

[DerAdlerIstGelandet]

But the topic was equipping Ukraine's new helicopters with IFF so that the UAF won't shoot them down. In that context why do you suggest that IFF won't be useful since the MANPADS used by the UAF don't have IFF, when at least those MANPADS supplied by NATO are thus equipped?

Because I missed the context of that part of the conversation. Happy?

 

[Admiral Beez]

You may disagree, A Admiral Beez , but the discussion starting here. Maybe refresh your memory of that convo? I mean, you were posting right in the middle of it.

I'm referring to this chat, where I said that Ukraine's new US supplied helicopters need IFF. I appreciate your clarifying your post, as I couldn't follow. As for suggestions of insulting your intelligence - goodness, don't look to internet discussion forums for affirmation of your intellect either way.

 

[Admiral Beez]

Not all are Ukrainian MANPADs are so-equipped.

Interesting - from what I've read it's standard kit. I wonder if that's because NATO kept the latest versions for themselves?

 

[wlewisiii]

 

[Admiral Beez]

Kyiv needs Iron Dome, Patriots or some equivalent anti missile system. I was hoping, overly optimistically it seems, that the capital would already have some degree of counter missile capability by now.

Ukraine Wants Israel's Iron Dome Defense System

Israel has been reluctant to give Ukraine military aid to avoid antagonizing Russia, which controls the skies over Syria where Israel carries out air strikes.

www.newsweek.com

 

[Thumpalumpacus]

I'm referring to this chat, where I said that Ukraine's new US supplied helicopters need IFF.

Yes, I understand that. Did you read the part of that conversation where compatibility was discussed?

I appreciate your clarifying your post, as I couldn't follow. As for suggestions of insulting your intelligence - goodness, don't look to internet discussion forums for affirmation of your intellect either way.

I have no idea where this is coming from, as I didn't suggest or imply that my intelligence was insulted.

As for your advice, while your concern is appreciated, your advice is pretty unnecessary. Thanks anyway.

Interesting - from what I've read it's standard kit. I wonder if that's because NATO kept the latest versions for themselves?

The issue is compatibility. NATO transponders likely cannot interrogate many of the Ukrainian sets. Whether these helicopters have been refitted -- they've been in US possession for a while -- is unknown to me, but they still may be incompatible with some of the systems being donated. That's worse than no transponder at all, because it's still extra weight the grunt has to carry.