Israeli know-how boosts Russia's armed UAS project

[artjomh]

My point is that UAVs have already caught up with manned aircraft (when it comes to intel gathering) and are surpassing them as we speak.

But what is the tactical advantage for Russia in particular? If UAVs are essentially going neck-in-neck with manned aircraft, what is the benefit of investing in long-range unmanned aircraft for Russia in particular? I am all for battalion-level systems, but investing heavily in MALE seems like a solution looking for a problem. After all, Russia isn't hunting anyone in Waziristan and Georgia was stomped by a combined arms Navy/Army/VDV/Air Force operation like it was ain't no thang.

The fact that the mean man on BBC questioned Russia's manhood for not having as many UAVs as Israel or US doesn't strike me as a valid rationale.

[Grax]

Depends on the UAV. I can think of a Predator that might have taken down a Foxbat had it been carrying an AIM-9X instead of a measely Stinger. Also I doubt developments of the X-47B will be pointess regardless of the opponent.

Was it not the other way around, that the predator was taken out by the Foxbat ?

The old pharaoh had many native slaves in his realm, not only Jews.

And yes, I lived in USSR.

You're very ignorant, slaves are you kidding ?
Nobody really cared in the SU if you were a jew or not!

I think, for the US anyway, it will give back the range (and then some) lost with the retirement of the A-6s in the strike role. I do think the notion that unmanned aircraft are going to replace all manned aircraft is absurd.

Yes I think so too. A huge disadvantage of UAVs is the dependency of a satellite link. If there would be a major wa the satellites would be a great target for the enemy. Grounding almost the whole fleet immediately.

[C.Puffs]

My point is that UAVs have already caught up with manned aircraft (when it comes to intel gathering) and are surpassing them as we speak.

No they haven't, which is why the idea of Global Hawk replacing the U-2 has been shelved. Those in the U-2 community laughed at the idea all along.

[C.Puffs]

Was it not the other way around, that the predator was taken out by the Foxbat ?

Yeah, the Predator lost. It was carrying Stinger missiles. It might have been different had they been AIM-9Xs.

[Camera]

Anyway the present UAVs were not designed for air-superiority role.

[C.Puffs]

Anyway the present UAVs were not designed for air-superiority role.

Air superiority will be the last thing they figure out with UAVs.

[EITAN88]

But what is the tactical advantage for Russia in particular? If UAVs are essentially going neck-in-neck with manned aircraft, what is the benefit of investing in long-range unmanned aircraft for Russia in particular? I am all for battalion-level systems, but investing heavily in MALE seems like a solution looking for a problem. After all, Russia isn't hunting anyone in Waziristan and Georgia was stomped by a combined arms Navy/Army/VDV/Air Force operation like it was ain't no thang.

The fact that the mean man on BBC questioned Russia's manhood for not having as many UAVs as Israel or US doesn't strike me as a valid rationale.

And are you certain that Russia will never need such capabilities?

MALE UAVs are also a brilliant tool for border security.

[JCR]

Yeah, the Predator lost. It was carrying Stinger missiles. It might have been different had they been AIM-9Xs.

Which were still corkscrewing around China Lake by the time it happened.

[Andy_UA]

Anyway, Russia is finally developing a large gamut of UAV's by itself. Heavy UAV's are on the menu too. An interesting thing is russian predator-like UAV(smaller)will be controlled not through satellite but by terrestrial radio.(although probably new type - I just read Russia developed an analogue to JTIDS system... is this can be used for UAV control?

P.S. Read my latest post on Russia Armed Forces discussion to see that the development of MALE has started (but only recently)

[EITAN88]

No they haven't, which is why the idea of Global Hawk replacing the U-2 has been shelved. Those in the U-2 community laughed at the idea all along.

What are the disadvantages of the RQ-4 compared to the U-2?

[JCR]

What are the disadvantages of the RQ-4 compared to the U-2?

It is new and expensive.
The U-2 is rock solid cold war iron and the sensor bays are modular and can be fitted with the newest sensors available.
So as long as you have pilots and spare parts and don't want to cross over enemy territory, a U-2 gets the job done at lesser cost.

[JGXL836]

're very ignorant, slaves are you kidding ?

It was a metaphor.

Nobody really cared in the SU if you were a jew or not!

LOL

[EITAN88]

It is new and expensive.
The U-2 is rock solid cold war iron and the sensor bays are modular and can be fitted with the newest sensors available.
So as long as you have pilots and spare parts and don't want to cross over enemy territory, a U-2 gets the job done at lesser cost.

Not broken so don't fix it... fair enough.

However as you yourself mentioned, in a combat situation the RQ-4 has an advantage over U2.

[Grax]

It was a metaphor.

LOL

Strange I thought we were living in the same country ...

[Nyusu]

Strange I thought we were living in the same country ...

Look at his age and count how old he was back then.