Anon03/08/26, 18:08No.64947120
>UAE shooting down Shaheds with aircraft guns.
>This ends the narrative about shooting down cheap drones with expensive Patriots.
Although let's be clear: flight time for a jet or helicopter isn't CHEAP either, though a stupendous upgrade vs a missile. For the F-35 cost per flight hour is estimated at somewhere between $30-50k depending. My assumption is that on drone duty it'll be at the low end of the spectrum, because the fighter wouldn't be required to push its engine or frame at all, it's a pretty easy light role. So that's not terrible at all, could easily be a much better then 1:1 cost ratio.There's still the issue of scaling and response time however, and it'd still be better if the cost was even cheaper. So I don't think it's a replacement for developing better automated laser a flak turrets. But way better then pissing away incredibly valuable and low quantity interceptors on a flying lawnmower.