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May 6
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Sarcastosaurus's avatar

The same like the last year again: 6-12 months of major problems... until private initiative in Ukraine (and those Western enterprises already involved in the country) starts churning out solutions...

...we're going to know 'more' about this, and that it's 'working' as soon as Zelensky/Yermak start bragging with 'their' major achievements, sometimes early the next year...

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JM's avatar

Could Sidewinders be launched from air drones in the future?

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Sarcastosaurus's avatar

Of course they could.

'But'...

Each AIM-9M weights some 75-80kg. And it's fired right off the rail.

Means, a UAV equipped to fire them would have to be big and heavy on its own, and powered by a powerful engine, too - to be capable of carrying an AIM-9, and to survive the launch of one.

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Donald Hill's avatar

The MQ-9 can carry 8 Hellfire missiles that weight 45 kg each. It has a wingspan of 20 meters and weighs 2,223 pounds itself.

https://www.af.mil/About-Us/Fact-Sheets/Display/Article/104470/mq-9-reaper/#:~:text=The%20MQ%2D9%20can%20also,single%20container%20for%20deployment%20worldwide.

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Tupolev16's avatar

"2 May the Ukrainian unmanned naval vessels shot down two Su-30s (one crew went in with the jet, the other ejected and was picked up by a Russian civilian vessel)."

As usual, Don reposting UA claims without double-checking. Only one SU-30 is down, there''s even a video proof.

This, of course, does not diminish the level of idiotism of RU High Command that send precious birds and pilots to fight sea drones with unguided weapons.

"In turn, the VKS continued releasing scores of UMPK glide-bombs: fortunately, thanks to Ukrainian electronic warfare systems like Liwa, the precision of these remains minimal." Sad that "proven" UA sources do not mention that VKS started to use UMPK of new mod, less vulnarable to EW.

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Sarcastosaurus's avatar

Actually, that's double-cross-confirmed: we didn't even pay attention about Ukrainian claims, but checked with contacts in Russia. As mentioned in the intro: one crew was KIA, the other ejected and was picked up by a civilian vessel.

So, no 'Don reposting UA claims withot double-checking', but your, usual, '90%'...

Re. new UMPK mod: if it's 'less vulnerable to EW, where's evidence it's hitting anything? After all, you might want to apply same standards for both sides.

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Tupolev16's avatar

There was a certain uproar in Russia media about second presumable downing, not a single confirmation found. Fighterbomber TG that always confirm RU losses is negative about second loss. But "proven" UA sources know better...

As per UMPK - RU channels post quite a lot of them. Just pay some efforts:

https://t.me/boris_rozhin/163492

https://t.me/voin_dv/14750

https://t.me/voin_dv/14743

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Sarcastosaurus's avatar

That's simple. Fighter-Bomber is releasing what he is permitted to release.

We're independent.

And don't worry: we do follow what the RU channels are posting about UMPKs.

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Claudio M.'s avatar

thank you for replying each and every lie posted here

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Tupolev16's avatar

https://t.me/faceofwar/47461

BTW, here's the fresh video of destruction by the RU patrol boat of UA sea drone armed with R-73/AMX-9. Note that 1 missile is still on the rail.

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Sarcastosaurus's avatar

That's one of Magura-7s, no 'patrol boat'.

(Patrol boat would be crewed; Maguras are remotely controlled.)

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Tupolev16's avatar

You misread: RU manned patrol boat destroyed UA Magura drone

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ZenithA's avatar

In the comments to one of ru channels postings there were a short comment that "not all crews survived". Way before release by Zelenkiy.

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Tupolev16's avatar

Could U kindly post it then?

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Tupolev16's avatar

And? A commenter (with no TG channel) with a nickname in Latin with hidden phone number in TG posted smth? If I post tomorrow that Houtis struck US carrier (thare are gossips like that), you will believe it?)))

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Claudio M.'s avatar

can anybody explain to me how can the Ukraine take advantage of a 30 days truce more than the

russia?

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Sarcastosaurus's avatar

That's all wild guessing. Nobody really knows.

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Claudio M.'s avatar

I mean... why is Ukraine asking for a 30 days truce? Just theater in front of Trump?

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James Touza's avatar

Thanks Don and Tom. I heard Israel is releasing a Patriot launcher or maybe a battery to Ukraine. I hope what they have in storage will be available.

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Sarcastosaurus's avatar

...as long as the EU pays...

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Michaelangelo's avatar

Thanks for "hot May" month of the war still update, Tom and Don.

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