The US handed over the latest kamikaze drones to Ukraine: how effective is the allies' assistance?

Ukraine has received the Switchblade kamikaze drones from the United States. I'll start with the fact that kamikaze drones are also known as loitering munitions. They are equipped with cameras, navigation systems, and explosives. Switchblade is a product of the American company AeroVironment. According to open data, there are two versions of smart munition: Switchblade 300 and Switchblade 600.

What is the difference between such a drone and other UCAVs?
After the launch, it can change the priority of the target. The operator can select the target of destruction or launch a kamikaze drone in general in free flight mode, i.e. reconnaissance. 

In this case, the drone flies to the target area, searches for the target, and performs appropriate actions, such as destroying heavy enemy armor.

They can be controlled from a distance of up to 40 kilometers and can fly for up to 40 minutes. The model known as the "six hundred" is effective against enemy tanks, missiles, and artillery.
It is worth noting that until recently the world was quite skeptical about kamikaze drones. Even in the United States. Israel is regarded as a pioneer in their usage. However, after the Nagorno-Karabakh war, the perspective shifted dramatically.
It should also be noted that Ukraine and Polish partners could launch a similar project in 2016. Unfortunately, the General Staff of Ukraine's Armed Forces turned down this offer.
We have what we have right now. Ukraine will receive 100 kamikaze drones. And Ukrainian UCAV operators have already completed the necessary training.
The supply of Switchblades was first announced by the US president in March. As a result, training for Ukrainian operators took about 2-3 weeks.
In fact, 100 units are sufficient to significantly improve the Armed Forces' results during the elimination of heavy equipment of the occupying country.
Over 800 Russian tanks have been destroyed so far. Taking into account hundreds of other kamikaze drones, we can confidently predict that within a month, we will have eliminated a thousand enemy armored vehicles. It's worth noting that the UK is currently the only foreign country that can purchase Switchblade. 

"Puma" drones are being transferred to Ukraine as part of the $300 million aid package from the United States. What is their specificity? The only distinction between "Puma," the Ukrainian "Fury," and others is laser illumination of the target. The US military aid package also includes laser equipment.
Our readers are likely to be interested in learning more about the Turkish drone "Bayraktar." It is well-known and is already in service with the Ukrainian Armed Forces. What are its distinguishing features?

Bayraktar's payload is 60 kilograms. Turkish drones can reach speeds of up to 220 kilometers per hour, with a top speed of 250 kilometers per hour. It can operate from a height of 3000 meters.
As a result, the UCAVs' Achilles heel is their reliance on weather. Bayraktar can only function in clear, sunny weather. It was designed by the Turks for use in their own climate as well as in the theater of operations in neighboring Azerbaijan, the Middle East, and Africa. However, in Ukraine, only 60-70 sunny days are recorded per year, with the rest being low clouds and fog, which are especially prevalent in the Donbass war zones.
Bayraktar cannot be used in poor weather conditions such as cloudiness or fog. The thermal imager on the device is unable to "penetrate" natural obstacles or dense clouds. 
We have our own development of an unmanned aerial vehicle. This is Sokol-300. And here it should be noted that the Ukrainian side, despite the war, needs to complete this program.
At the very least, because certain characteristics indicate a qualitative difference in our development.
The payload of the Ukrainian "Falcon" can reach 300 kg.
Unlike "Bayraktar," it is capable of launching bombs from a height of 30-50 meters at a distance of up to 10 kilometers from the target.
This characteristic of the "Ukrainian" makes it almost impossible for enemy air defense (air defense) systems to recognize and defeat the "Falcon." 
The Russian AAMs "Pantsir-C1" and "Tor-M1" can easily detect and shoot down the Turkish Bayraktar, which happened  during the Syrian war.
That is, Ukraine has its own developments. And, once again, regardless of the state of war, we must recognize that the domestic military-industrial complex is the locomotive of the entire economy.

Another interesting topic is Ukrainian air defense. What can we use to counter-attack enemy planes and helicopters? After all, the open sky is Ukraine's main issue.
So, for the destruction of enemy helicopters and aircraft flying low in the face of natural and man-made thermal interference, the United States supplied an effective weapon - Stinger MANPADS.
They have already passed the tests in the conditions of hostilities  in Ukraine. We hear more and more reports of Russian helicopters and planes being shot down by Stingers.

The second type of MANPAD is the British Starstreak, which arrived in Ukraine a few weeks ago. It is designed to defeat low-flying helicopters and enemy aircraft. Starstreak is widely regarded as the world's fastest short-range surface-to-air missile.
Starstreak MANPADS can hit targets in the air at altitudes of up to 7 kilometers. The probability of successful defeat of the target is about 90%.

This is a new development, but it has already been demonstrated in the context of actual hostilities in eastern Ukraine.
Furthermore, the British were pleasantly surprised by the professionalism of Ukraine's Armed Forces. Imagine, only a week after delivery, and the first positive results have already been obtained: the Russian Ka-52 helicopter, which was considered the leading development of the occupying country's military-industrial complex, has been destroyed.
The West and NATO are willing to provide Ukraine with lethal weapons due to the high professionalism of Ukraine's Armed Forces.
As an example of progress, consider the supply of the S-300 missile system to air defense forces.
The S-300 is a medium-range anti-aircraft missile system developed by the Soviet Union. This system is intended to combat strategic and tactical aircraft, cruise, operational, tactical, and ballistic missiles at altitudes ranging from 25 m to 27 km and distances of up to 100 km in radio resistance conditions.
The S-300 anti-aircraft missile systems, when combined in an air defense group, provide protection from an air attack over tens of thousands of square kilometers.
This is Soviet equipment, we can say. However, it has proven to be effective in actual combat. And the Russians will now face major challenges in terms of flight safety and rocket-bomb attacks on Ukraine's peaceful neighborhoods.

After all, as practice  has shown, the Russians attack residential buildings and objects of civil and critical infrastructure first and foremost, attempting to break the Ukrainian people's spirit and resistance to the occupiers.
The Armed Forces of Ukraine are repelling the enemy! We are under the reliable protection of our military. Keep calm and believe in the Armed Forces!

Most importantly - we believe in our victory!

Dmytro Snegiryov


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