srai wrote: ↑14 Apr 2024 17:47
^^^
Slow moving drones are really only useful as saturation decoys. Exhaust SAM batteries.
Lesson for India is to induct more affordable AD options for countering drones. Using Barak-8, Akash etc not sustainable in large numbers.
I have been thinking about the part in bold for some time. My initial thoughts towards a solution to this issue were mostly AA arty and Shorad. Along with passive crash protection nets.
On deeper reflection, I have thought of an unmanned fighter drone, controlled by the IADS. Like the GCI of WW2. With the following attributes.
1) Cheap, expendable, unmanned aircraft. No more than 5 to 6 times more the cost of a Shahid. But reusable for 50 to 100 times.
2) A cheap onboard radar for terminal interception solutions and 23 mm or 30 mm gun/ cannon with 200 to 300 rounds.
3) A repurposed Auto engine with 300 hp. Because the max flight altitude is under 10 k feet.
4) All up weight, as light as possible.
5) Combat radius of 200 to 300 kms.
Because the aircraft is unmanned, Autonomous, reusable, and integrated with the GCI system. It can be built by the thousands and still be cheaper in terms of dealing with a near saturation attacks from such drones.