tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-386077914312449748.post455941024851374787..comments2024-03-27T20:37:08.065+01:00Comments on Defence and Freedom: Bi-Ho / Flying Tiger upgradeUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-386077914312449748.post-53595943314293370822014-01-23T16:28:21.059+01:002014-01-23T16:28:21.059+01:00It has to be distributed over MANY actions to offs...It has to be distributed over MANY actions to offset the enormous up-front and life-cycle costs. Plus, you have to build enough of them to cover a useful amount of territory. <br /><br />It still feels like buying a sledge hammer to kill roaches. <br /><br />We had this same discussion a while back on your 75/76mm cannon thread. <br /><br />I still feel that fire control upgrades for an IFV's 30mm cannon along with planned airburst rounds would make life short for opposing small UAVs overflying heavy forces. We could also build a cheaper missile that is designed to kill UAVs. The Qinetiq Cougar is an interesting concept.<br /><br />http://www.flightglobal.com/FlightPDFArchive/2004/2004-09%20-%200990.PDF <br /><br />If we want a specialized system, then push forward with a laser/missile combo. A 70kt UAV should be an easy target even for a relatively low-powered laser. Boeing has tested a laser for use on the HMMWV-based Avenger system. It's not very powerful, but a minor bump might make it suitable for killing small UAVs. <br /><br />Rheinmetall has tested a 50kw laser that would be useful here too.<br /><br />http://www.gizmag.com/rheinmetall-laser-test/25504/<br />B.Smittyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12650152449414871058noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-386077914312449748.post-1916504583945827402014-01-22T23:35:21.126+01:002014-01-22T23:35:21.126+01:00Fixed costs become unimportant if distributed over...Fixed costs become unimportant if distributed over many actions.<br />The variable costs of a 30 mm salvo or two are a tiny fraction of the variable costs of a modern ManPADS.<br />LeFlaSys/Ozelot is practically useless against the Bundeswehr's own Aladin drones. It's no good idea to be limited to MG3 only against drones; their effective radius is tiny and few platforms with the sensors necessary to sense the drones can be afforded.<br /><br />And you should look at the procurement cost of Stinger purchases, for example. They vary from about $ 100k to 200k per missile, depending on what support etc. is in the deal included.<br />You cannot expect to deal with the vast majority of battlefield drones (= small ones) with this.S Ohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03359796414832859686noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-386077914312449748.post-66114624227928250092014-01-22T21:15:13.021+01:002014-01-22T21:15:13.021+01:00Do they really offer a chance to kill "flying...Do they really offer a chance to kill "flying objects" at lower cost? The platform cost for the gun system is much higher to begin with. Ozelot fits on a Wiesel chassis, while Gepard required a much larger, heavier tank chassis. The gun systems themselves are larger and more expensive too. <br /><br />It's only the marginal cost of the rounds themselves that are lower (though 76mm DART rounds probably aren't cheap).<br /><br />I actually like the LFK NG concept, if they can make it work. The platform can be as cheap as a few soldiers with packs and a couple rounds ("Crewpad"), or a 4WD truck. The rounds themselves won't be that cheap, but you can buy quite a few for the cost of one modern Gepard or 76mm armed 8x8 AFV. B.Smittyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12650152449414871058noreply@blogger.com