Hello everybody! Today I would like to address a number of questions and commentaries that have surfaced ever since….gosh, that was back in September this year, though feels like few ages ago… - ever since I’ve addressed specific topics and explain few additional issues related to air warfare over Ukraine. Indeed, even take a look into the future, and explain what to expect in the coming months.
Very interesting. I find it quite odd that the Western EU airforces had F16s with inferior(in range at least) radars even to what Ukrainian Su-27s have. But I believe this data you've presented after my expectations were dashed by the leopard tanks. I remember last year when Western politicians were so defensive about supplying tanks. For me, tanks on the Ukrainian battlefield didn't seem like a big deal considering there were much more smarter systems on the battlefield that Ukraine needed. It didn't make sense why the West didnt supply as many tanks as soon as they could....But, but with the way Western bureaucrats were being defensive I strongly believed that maybe,maybe Western tanks had some secret sauce APS systems and information systems software/hardware that they didn't want to get into Russian hands. But to my shock and horror, all the Western tanks provided are dumb slabs(with some level of compute and networking) of metal not ready for modern conventional warfare.
Couldn't even detect and defend themselves against cheap drones or didn't come with complementary systems capable of doing so. Like why did they even make a big deal about supplying them. Delaying a full year until Russians had caught up with using commercial off the shelf drones and even making them more vulnerable. So when it comes to the jets, I hope the West is looking into these aspects and how they can upgrade these radars before sending them to Ukraine. To fight the battle thats needed. As shown in some of your books, proper Air forces can change tides in battles, like the Zimbabwean air force did in a certain African war.
May be I am wrong... but Ukarine supposed to receive from Norway, Denmark and Netherland F-16A/B MLU which should be equipped with APG-66(V2) Fire Control Radars (range at least 150 km)
There is a rumour that R-37M was designed to primarily be able to shoot down AWACS and long range bombers and is not very manoeuvrable. How will it fare against a small and agile F-16 ?
First, thanx to article. I personally had no idea about such significant range difference between F-16 and Su-s radars. %)
Second, you say "had to possess a know-how equal to academic degrees in engineering and electro-technics in order to operate technology equipping them". My question - is any particular reasons that the advance of tech itself was not supported by advance in interfaces? Personally, as an engineer I always should take into account operability as one of critical requirements to system.
Glad to have you posting again. Made a lot of sense. And Even if the conditions are less than ideal how would that improvisert the situation for the one with the shorter range? Cant understand that Logic really. Less than ideal should hurt both. But Just out of curiosity how would an F35 rate on your scale? As we in Norway buss these things I personally can not see any better use for them, but I cannot think they would change things that much.
Dec 20, 2023·edited Dec 20, 2023Liked by Sarcastosaurus
I'm guessing part 2 will be the problem of Ukraine penetrating the intergrated SAM, EW, and russian DATA link systems with F-16s that aren't compatible and thus not intergrated with the vast majority of GBAD systems that Ukraine has.
Basically the F-16's have pretty much just their own aircraft sensors, and some radio calls from early warning radar to help them build situational awarness, (maybe shared datalink between other F-16s). While the Russians have much more of their systems linked, and can share information, between ground based systems, AWACS, and other fighter aircraft, which paints a much better picture for Russian pilots of the battle field.
It ends up with the Russians having a much bigger force multiplier then just the individual aircraft compared by themselves to each other.
Can you provide any sources for: "Missile ranges cited above are based on confirmed or ‘known’ experiences from air combats of the last 20 years, NOT on advertisments by manufacturers." ?
Thank you. For a leek like me it made sense.
Had a little giggle at the start to be honest.
Thank you for your time Tom
Can’t wait to part 2. What of anything can be done. And will our idiot and cowardly politicians do the right thing?
Gripen can make difference?
Very interesting. I find it quite odd that the Western EU airforces had F16s with inferior(in range at least) radars even to what Ukrainian Su-27s have. But I believe this data you've presented after my expectations were dashed by the leopard tanks. I remember last year when Western politicians were so defensive about supplying tanks. For me, tanks on the Ukrainian battlefield didn't seem like a big deal considering there were much more smarter systems on the battlefield that Ukraine needed. It didn't make sense why the West didnt supply as many tanks as soon as they could....But, but with the way Western bureaucrats were being defensive I strongly believed that maybe,maybe Western tanks had some secret sauce APS systems and information systems software/hardware that they didn't want to get into Russian hands. But to my shock and horror, all the Western tanks provided are dumb slabs(with some level of compute and networking) of metal not ready for modern conventional warfare.
Couldn't even detect and defend themselves against cheap drones or didn't come with complementary systems capable of doing so. Like why did they even make a big deal about supplying them. Delaying a full year until Russians had caught up with using commercial off the shelf drones and even making them more vulnerable. So when it comes to the jets, I hope the West is looking into these aspects and how they can upgrade these radars before sending them to Ukraine. To fight the battle thats needed. As shown in some of your books, proper Air forces can change tides in battles, like the Zimbabwean air force did in a certain African war.
May be I am wrong... but Ukarine supposed to receive from Norway, Denmark and Netherland F-16A/B MLU which should be equipped with APG-66(V2) Fire Control Radars (range at least 150 km)
So the F-16s will not do the job.
I hope part 2 will show some other options - and that politicians will make it happen (please!!)
There is a rumour that R-37M was designed to primarily be able to shoot down AWACS and long range bombers and is not very manoeuvrable. How will it fare against a small and agile F-16 ?
First, thanx to article. I personally had no idea about such significant range difference between F-16 and Su-s radars. %)
Second, you say "had to possess a know-how equal to academic degrees in engineering and electro-technics in order to operate technology equipping them". My question - is any particular reasons that the advance of tech itself was not supported by advance in interfaces? Personally, as an engineer I always should take into account operability as one of critical requirements to system.
Glad to have you posting again. Made a lot of sense. And Even if the conditions are less than ideal how would that improvisert the situation for the one with the shorter range? Cant understand that Logic really. Less than ideal should hurt both. But Just out of curiosity how would an F35 rate on your scale? As we in Norway buss these things I personally can not see any better use for them, but I cannot think they would change things that much.
Great article Tom, thank you.
I'm guessing part 2 will be the problem of Ukraine penetrating the intergrated SAM, EW, and russian DATA link systems with F-16s that aren't compatible and thus not intergrated with the vast majority of GBAD systems that Ukraine has.
Basically the F-16's have pretty much just their own aircraft sensors, and some radio calls from early warning radar to help them build situational awarness, (maybe shared datalink between other F-16s). While the Russians have much more of their systems linked, and can share information, between ground based systems, AWACS, and other fighter aircraft, which paints a much better picture for Russian pilots of the battle field.
It ends up with the Russians having a much bigger force multiplier then just the individual aircraft compared by themselves to each other.
Can you provide any sources for: "Missile ranges cited above are based on confirmed or ‘known’ experiences from air combats of the last 20 years, NOT on advertisments by manufacturers." ?
Interesting.
Would AN/APG-68 deployed on F16 change the rules of the game significantly?
https://twitter.com/noclador/status/1739004216692134268
That's an old radar, what if they come with the AN/APG-68
"It's the economy, stupid" is, I believe, tightly attributed to political consultant James Carville