Hacker News new | ask | show | jobs
by H8crilA 1526 days ago
In addition to the morality of such ops, keep in mind that those drones (such as the Reaper) are nearly useless against an opponent that has a proper air defense setup (SAMs). Having high price tags and carrying lethal weapons would make them a priority. Their only practical application is to "bully" an unsophisticated enemy. For example, had Russia tried this kind of a weapon against Kiev or Lviv then the s300 and Buks would have taken them out in a matter of minutes.

Also, thinking that a remote pilot has different level of empathy vs a pilot that's inside the aircraft is a little deranged from the reality of military operations. A weapon is a weapon, it is meant to eliminate/kill targets.
2 comments
_3u10 1526 days ago
If you’ve flown in a plane and flown a flight sim of the same plane you’ll understand the difference in visual acuity. A pilot in the seat has huge informational advantage over a remote pilot.

This informational advantage can and does influence decision making, go / no go scenarios.

link
bayindirh 1526 days ago
> For example, had Russia tried this kind of a weapon against Kiev or Lviv then the s300 and Buks would have taken them out in a matter of minutes.

However, when supplanted by electronic warfare and decent intel, we've seen how Azerbaijan's TB2s destroyed a lot of Armenian SAM sites, without blinking. Even they took out a S300 site by marking it with a TB2 and destroying it with missiles.

So, it's not as clear cut as it seems.

link
H8crilA 1525 days ago
Ok, yes, you can plan a modern mission where this kind of equipment, alongside some electronic warfare, other crafts and good intel, results in a success against a high level enemy. You are right. Although a good old f16 or f18 would be a lot more useful in such a role

I just meant to say that something like "we fly this drone, alone, here, make a quick kill and come back" only works against very under-armed military groups. Ukraine, as an example, is well above that level of defense.

Also, I am eagerly awaiting reliable information on how did it happen that TB2s were such a force against Russian tanks. I suspect extreme levels of Russian bardak while covering their own forces with air defense layers.

link