War in Ukraine

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#23,901
U.S. Switchblade Drones for Ukraine Will Include Tank Killers

The Pentagon plans to order and send to Ukraine 10 of the newest model Switchblade drones armed with tank-busting warheads in addition to previously announced deliveries of a less powerful version, according to two people familiar with the decision.

The new Switchblade-600 weapons are part of $300 million in lethal military assistance announced by the Pentagon Friday night that will be contracted directly from industry instead of drawn from existing stocks, according to the people, who asked not to identified discussing the plan.

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#23,908
#23,908
Ukrainians gonna be the 1st to use new Puma/Switchblade warfare. I would not want to be sitting in a Russian APC near the front lines of Donbas right now.

The Hunter-Killer Drone Team: U.S. Switchblades And Pumas Join Ukraine War
The Pentagon has approved a second batch of arms for Ukraine, including Switchblade loitering munitions and a variety of other equipment including night vision gear, Humvees and small-caliber ammunition. One of the most interesting additions though is a small tactical drone, the Puma. These can work together with the loitering munitions as hunter-killer teams, a technique recently demonstrated by the makers but never before used in combat.

The U.S. Army use the drone under the name RQ-20 Puma; made by AeroVironment of California, it’s a hand-launched drone with a 15-foot wingspan. It is one of the heftier hand-launched craft, weighing over 20 pounds, and is correspondingly capable, with a flight endurance of more than five hours and a control range of more than 25 miles.

The Puma boasts as Mantis i45 sensor, like a miniature version of the sensor ball in Reaper-class drones, a gimballed sensor that swivels as the drone flies and provides stabilized view of any point on the ground below. It has a low-light camera and an advanced thermal imager, both with powerful zoom capability. This makes it useful for night operations where Ukrainian tactical drones have been highly successful due to the Russian lack of effective night vision gear.

But why send yet more drones to Ukraine, when they already have plenty? One listing indicates Ukraine’s military already operates more than 30 types of drone, most of them manufactured locally. The answer may lie in Puma’s stable mate, the Switchblade.

The Switchblade 300 loitering munition is another AeroVironment product, a truly tiny drone no bigger than a baguette and weighing less five pounds and with a small explosive warhead. This type of portable lethal drone has been highly successful in Afghanistan and elsewhere for finding and finishing high-value targets at ranges of up to six kilometres. But once fired, it cannot be recalled, so if the operator fails to find a target it is a Switchblade wasted. Only very limited numbers are being supplied to Ukraine – 100 in the first batch, and likely a similar number in the second batch.

The Puma solves the problem with the aid of AeroVironment’s Sensor-to-Shooter (S2S) Kit, first introduced last year. This allows AeroVironment’s other drones, including the Puma, to pass data via their proprietary digital data link directly to a Switchblade.

The Puma can locate targets with its superior sensors which have longer range and better resolution than those on the Switchblade. The S2S allows the Puma operator to push a button and automatically launch a Switchblade which homes in on the target’s location. On arrival, imagery from the two are matched to confirm the Switchblade has the correct target; upon operator approval, it will engage. The operator can see the entire attack via the Puma’s high-resolution video and assess the damage, determines whether another Switchblade is needed, and spots any new targets flushed out by the attack.

An additional and perhaps equally great benefit is that the Puma can acts as an airborne communication relay. Normally the Switchblade is limited to a range of about six kilometers, a limitation imposed by control distance; with a flight time of over fifteen minutes and a cruising speed of over 60 mph, it can in principle hit far more distant targets. All it needs is great communications range, which Puma could provide.

The Puma-Switchblade team could take on Russian artillery and multiple-launch rocket systems mounted on unarmored trucks. These have been doing massive damage to Ukraine’s cities, and are vulnerable to the Switchblade’s warhead. They would also be useful for locating and eliminating high-value targets – several Russian generals have already been killed close to the front lines and Puma-Switchblade teams could account for more.

Unlike other weapons, the kamikaze drone has no launch signature, giving the Russian no clue where attacks are coming from, and making it ideal for stealthy surprise attacks.
 
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#23,910
#23,910
Matt2496 said:
With that said, there has undoubtedly been plenty of fake stuff shared over twitter. You always have to make an effort to separate the wheat from the chaff. I try my best to validate sources before I either share them on here or believe in them. I don't take anything at face value.
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I have a hard time with video sources that use actual cg game play video to enrich their position. I don’t think 50% of people can identify cg game play videos. They take them as real.
 
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#23,914
#23,914
volgr said:
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Calling your Bullsh*t here. Russia *has* the funds to make the payment on their bonds due, but we ain't gonna allow its *frozen funds* to be used for said purpose. Thus, the ball is now in Russia's court: They can opt to pay the money due with the funds it has *on hand*, on it can default.

Nice job of being full-on anti-American, though, Comrade.
 
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#23,919
#23,919
MontyPython said:
Calling your Bullsh*t here. Russia *has* the funds to make the payment on their bonds due, but we ain't gonna allow its *frozen funds* to be used for said purpose. Thus, the ball is now in Russia's court: They can opt to pay the money due with the funds it has *on hand*, on it can default.

Nice job of being full-on anti-American, though, Comrade.
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Anti-American? lol

I'm the one promoting American principles or what used to be American principles.
 
#23,923
#23,923
volgr said:
Anti-American? lol

I'm the one promoting American principles or what used to be American principles.
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You posted a Tweet advocating other countries to move away from the dollar standard for trade:

"Russia has the ability to pay their debts. Yet the US Govt is creating a fake default. This is just creating more reasons to exit USD assets and push other countries towards other currencies."

One, there is no "fake default". Russia has the funds on hand to make the payment. Either they do or they don't.

Two, encouraging a movement away from the dollar standard is definitely not in the best interest of America. Period. Anyone with any sense whatsoever knows this.

So, no, you are definitely not promoting any "American principles".
 
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#23,925
#23,925
MontyPython said:
You posted a Tweet advocating other countries to move away from the dollar standard for trade:

"Russia has the ability to pay their debts. Yet the US Govt is creating a fake default. This is just creating more reasons to exit USD assets and push other countries towards other currencies."

One, there is no "fake default". Russia has the funds on hand to make the payment. Either they do or they don't.

Two, encouraging a movement away from the dollar standard is definitely not in the best interest of America. Period. Anyone with any sense whatsoever knows this.

So, no, you are definitely not promoting any "American principles".
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I've advocated and even posted John Quincy Adams speech where he lays out why America shouldnt go in search of monsters to slay, instead being friendly with all Nations. Many others from the Founding generation said the same.

Had America not picked a side in this regional conflict, which I have advocated for from the start, then we wouldnt be in this situation where it is even possible for Countries to consider possibly moving away from the dollar.

The unintended consequences from picking sides is on those from YOUR side, not mine.
 
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