Russia shoots down drone

[Oakland Tactical]

I haven't heard much about this but crickets. I thought it would be more news worthy. I guess surveillance drones are cheap now and the technology to do it is available. Maybe someone else posted but I didn't see it. Russia claims to have downed U.S. drone over Crimea region - Washington Times

 

[bogeybrown]

I agree it's not only disturbing that it happened, but more disturbing that it's gone un-reported.

I had to delete the post I had typed out for fear that it may have been deemed too political. I will say that's probably a good thing that Reagan and Thatcher are no longer here to see what's become of their hard work.

 

[Gunfighter14e2]

Or it was a test to gauge their response, and find out their technical ability's. Combat tactics is a very high stakes chess game,.... The Russians ain't stupid and when it's toe to toe, we are going to face a equal, something most do not want to admit to. I've never been afraid of them but I damn sure respect their ability's and fortitude, to bleed out before saying uncle. W/O a back room deal band-aid stock will rise.

 

[Gunga]

I think the Russians broke the drones communication link using an electronic warfare platform which brought it to the ground. They captured it intact.

 

[BoilerUP]

So a RPA that is "nearly unobservable" from the ground but likely plenty visible on radar (its the size of a Piper Cherokee, after all), was allegedly 'hacked' and brought down intact, as opposed to shot down...over Crimea...by Russian forces?

Good thing Hagel's budget parks the U2...

 

[TOP PREDATOR]

^ they shot down 2 of those too back in the day, so 60 years later not surprised about drones.

and that was with an air defense system that was already "aged" in terms of western technology SA 1 / 2 / 3 rockets and the pechora / fan song radars.

also credited with the downing the only F117 lost during combat during desert storm.

still in use today...in fact these were the same missiles found on that ship last year going to korea....their stuff is usually crude, but simple and effective.

 

[BoilerUP]

^ they shot down 2 of those too back in the day, so 60 years later not surprised about drones.

My point is that you can't "hack" a U2. Also, the world looks a wee bit smaller at 60,000ft than it does at 12,000ft (improving stand-off range to collect intelligence) and the level of provocation in shooting down a manned aircraft is a couple orders of magnitude greater than EW breaking operator control.

I also have a hard time understanding why the Army would be tasked with sending a low/mid-altitude RPA to Crimea when the Air Force and Navy operate seemingly more suitable (ie. lower observable, much higher altitude) RPAs...but then again, I certainly don't know the big picture and testing capabilities might very well have been the intended mission anyway.

 

[MosesTheTank]

What interesting times we live in. I need to preface my comments with the recall of a prior drone incident:

1. 12/4/2011 Iran claims it captured a US drone: BBC News - Iranians claim to down US drone

2. 12/4/2011 US denies Iran captured drone: U.S. official denies Iran shot down spy drone | National Post

3. 12/8/2011 Iran shows off captured drone and the world is a little surprised at its minty condition: Iran shows intercepted CIA drone unscathed (VIDEO) ? RT USA

4. 12/8/2011 Russia and China interested in US drone technology (shocking!): BBC News - Why Iran's capture of US drone will shake CIA

5. 12/13/2011 Obama demands Iran returned the drone: Obama calls on Iran to give back downed U.S. drone ? USATODAY.com

6. 12/16/2011 US scoffs at Iranian claim at how the drone was downed: Iran Hijacked Spy Drone With GPS Hack? 'Ridiculous,' Official Says | Fox News

7. Have Russia and Iran been working on downing a drone for quite some time?:

Iran gives stealth drone secrets to Russia
*Report: Iran 'Blinded' CIA Spy Satellite* :* Information Clearing House

8. And a general reference on the incident: Iran?U.S. RQ-170 incident - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia


If this latest story is at all accurate, I am a little impressed that they broke the com link. One thing Russia is very good at is making some impressively nasty missiles, but they didn't use one this time. For a long time they have lagged the US in radar, sonar, and other sensing technologies as well as interference capabilities. If there is an inference that this was simply a test I would be wary about such a statement.

Bogey, I have edited this down over similar political concerns but still trying to get across what I see as the use of a Hollywood trope as national security strategy: it was all according to plan. Of course there is no need to explicitly state such reassurance for the benefit of the audience (the American public) or other characters (the EU). That it is implied with a knowing grin or widely talked about in the media is all that is required. In fact, it would be worrisome if people weren't saying it as such silence on the matter could be an indicator of numerous negative implications the worst of which is a shortage of confidence that some larger and unseen plan is not going well.

To be fair to both sides, I have enough experience with Russia to know that in addition to those slick missiles they are capable of some very slick deceit. So God only knows what the truth is.

 

[Redmanss]

They got two U-2s, but isn't that why we developed Blackbirds? Bring those back. SR-71 v2.0 FTW!!!

 

[pawprint2]

If the Russians could miniaturize the jammer, and sell cheaply, they could make a small fortune selling in the US! Everyone needs the ability to "down a drone", especially if it is over your house/property! From what I read, every tiny PD, and govt agency is fielding drones-UPS wants to deliver packages with drones, it won't be long before dominos will deliver via drone! I can't imagine a Dominos employee using a drone for no good.......just saying.

 

[sharac]

I find it disturbing that drone would actually be flying there as that even more confirms that this entire Ukrainian spring is nothing but the same meddling by US as Egyipt, Syria, Lybia etc... I guess all those veterans of Iraq and Afgan wars are simply to dangerous to return to US soil so better find them a new "playground" to keep them and people at home occupied.

 

[Sharpsman]

Why a 'drone' when we've got sats that can read the word 'Spaulding' on a friggin golf ball at ground level!!??

Don't make sense!!

 

[Gunfighter14e2]

Ya, well a sat takes time to re-task, and unless geo- has a short window compared to something that can survey 100 square miles within minutes while returning for coffee at mach 3.5+ all the while projecting it's self to be in 7 different locations at once. Much like the F-4 "We don't need guns" missiles and stand off win every fight. Fucking idiots,...have a system that has proven it's self, have nothing to mission task that will fill the roll 110%, but moth ball it anyway,... thats forward thinking! Much like cutting up the flying can opener, it will be regretted when Russian tanks come calling. Not to worry we have leadership that will draw another line, our enemy's tanks can't/or better not cross

Add,... The NRO is good but they can't walk on water, as good as everyone wants you to believe.

 

[augnmike]

Why a 'drone' when we've got sats that can read the word 'Spaulding' on a friggin golf ball at ground level!!??

Don't make sense!!

Sure it does sats can't be over the area in question all the time, they can only provide pics in windows of opportunity. Not to mention weather issues that denigrate the sats quality.