BLUF
The US and others are closely monitoring the battle space of the Russo-Ukraine conflict. Of particular interest is the use by Urkarine of loitering munitions (an explosive charge fastened to a drone).Summary
This article by Bruce Jette, writing for Defense News, makes the following points:
- Loitering munitions are uninhabited aerial systems that place some form of explosive charge onto a drone.
- Unlike cyber, loitering munitions add kinetic effects—meaning destructive capabilities.
- Ukrainian forces are avoiding costly battlefield engagements by using their battlespace knowledge to ambush Russian forces.
- Russian Tanks have generally been designed with side protection and only enough armour on top to deflect fragments from air-burst artillery.
- This has not provided sufficient protection, with Russia reportedly losing 600 tanks.
- The US military has similar vulnerabilities with relatively thin top armour.
References
Recent Runway Posts related to this topic:
References from the Web:
- MAY 2022 War Will Never Be This Bulky Again—The Atlantic
- MAY 2022 Maker Of Switchblade Loitering Munitions Ready To Produce ‘Thousands’ For Ukraine If Washington Acts—Forbes
- JUN 2022 Russia turns to old tanks as it burns through weapons in Ukraine—Japan Times
Source Information:
- Article Source: Defense News
- Media Check: Defense News - Media Bias Fact Check (mediabiasfactcheck.com)
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