AviationBanter - View Single Post

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wrote:
On 3 Jun 2006 16:31:20 -0700, wrote:
[snip]
Alternatively, make the primary weapon of the UAV to be a versaitile
short range missile(s) and reuse it for such self-defence as well.

Is not your small, light, versitile, cheap (so you can launch a lot of
them and confound and confuse sensors) now becoming large, heavy,
versitile, and expensive?
Yes and no, see below...

[snip]
For the really short range you need (to prevent a fighter to destroy
you by its wake turbulence) there might be several simple and cheap
detection/targetting methods available.

But every pound you use for self defense is a pound less for sensors
or offensive capability. Where do the lines cross?
You might want to have your primary armament to be a small short range
missile(s) - to shoot it out of the CIWS guns range. With a proper
sensor (which the missile will need anyway), the missile might be good
enough agains helos or nearby fighters. Reusing it for self-defense
just seems obvious.

Why you want at least basic self defense? You need a system that is
not easily countered , otherwise its pointless. Slow and light UAVs can
be gunned down from a helo or brought down by wake turbulence of a
fighter. Unless you field really overhelming numbers of them (and/or
make them really stealthy), you need to prevent those tactics. Full
fighter-like self defense is unrealistic, but detecting and shooting at
big heavy noisy objects like helos/fighters which are really nearby
(say withing 300m) might not be that hard. Especially if you already
have missile(s) that can fly that far (and further) on board.

For the same reason the UAVs need to be hardened against EM, so
pointing radar at them won't fry them. Doable, but close attention to
detail needed.

Similarly, you need them to be able to be resistant to laser blinding
their sensors. No clue how to do that, but military men (and not only
in US) probably have some ideas ...

Not saying it is too easy, but it might all be doable within next 7-10
years by a country like Iran/India/China (those countries do have
competent engineers/software developers).
Note that any of those countries can easily throw $100million for a
project like this, and with thier salaries and general prices, that
would buy much more then the same $100milion in US. The UAVs are the
craze of today anyway and I am sure all of them are doing R&D in them.

Stefan

Bill Kambic
Haras Lucero, Kingston, TN
Mangalarga Marchador: Uma Raça, Uma Paixão