With the technology today it would be entirely possible to remove the pilot and fly the helicopter remotely. Effectively turning the craft into a more sophisticated attack drone. I would say that's probably step one along the route of just better, bigger, more agile and heavily armed drones, that is likely in our near future.
Take an Apache, replace the copit with necessary computer systems and flight control, and away you go. Very possible indeed 🤔👍
Great piece! I think it’s hard to condemn an entire weapons platform based on this conflict solely. And as already mentioned, and I agree too, I think there has been an over-analysis of drone. Loved that he highlighted the serious vulnerabilities that drones face too.
I thought the same. The War in Ukraine and the use of drones has lots to teach us, but doesn't mean legacy weapon systems can all just be dumped 👍. Drones are powerful weapons indeed but they aren't a cure all.
The relevant cost-benefit analysis is not about the cost of the system, but about the cost of the system's impact (cost-per-effect). Currently, there are probably some missions where an attack helo has the cost per effect advantage. But I was surprised you didn't mention an obvious point--let's take the pilot out of the helo and let her fly it remotely. The only reason to put a human in anything on the battlefield is to compensate for a lack of sensors/data processing/decision making via comms.
That's a very good point!
With the technology today it would be entirely possible to remove the pilot and fly the helicopter remotely. Effectively turning the craft into a more sophisticated attack drone. I would say that's probably step one along the route of just better, bigger, more agile and heavily armed drones, that is likely in our near future.
Take an Apache, replace the copit with necessary computer systems and flight control, and away you go. Very possible indeed 🤔👍
A refreshing counter to the over-emphasis on drones.
Drones have their place certainly, but we are definitely not at a 'drones replace everything' situation.
Interesting
Great piece! I think it’s hard to condemn an entire weapons platform based on this conflict solely. And as already mentioned, and I agree too, I think there has been an over-analysis of drone. Loved that he highlighted the serious vulnerabilities that drones face too.
I thought the same. The War in Ukraine and the use of drones has lots to teach us, but doesn't mean legacy weapon systems can all just be dumped 👍. Drones are powerful weapons indeed but they aren't a cure all.
The relevant cost-benefit analysis is not about the cost of the system, but about the cost of the system's impact (cost-per-effect). Currently, there are probably some missions where an attack helo has the cost per effect advantage. But I was surprised you didn't mention an obvious point--let's take the pilot out of the helo and let her fly it remotely. The only reason to put a human in anything on the battlefield is to compensate for a lack of sensors/data processing/decision making via comms.
Very good point Perry, though for some reason Substack decided to make my reply a separate comment. See further down for my proper reply 👍
Cool AF!! Thank you 🧡🧡 your work
Thank you for reading my work 🙂👍
Very good rebuttal 👍