Before the war, KA-52s were hyped as a kind of Apache killer. Now we see them dropping from the skies like flies. Is the platform bad? I like the counter-rotating blades as it reduces the mechanical inefficiency present when you have to torque a smaller rotor at the back of the helicopter.
Or it could just be a sign of the effectiveness of anti-air systems being used.
I think "dropping like flies" is a bit of an overstatement when you regard the number of sorties being flown. I think this is more a sign of how saturated the airspace is with AA, if any pilot is just a bit uncareful or unlucky, they will get shot down.
Tbf. these have been more effective than I would have liked to see against Ukrainian armour, and we even have a video of one surviving having its tail shot off.
As for how they would do if western aircraft were in the air: That might be a different story, and not one I'm going to speculate about.
9 Comments
Gork@lemm.ee · 5 pts · 3y
Before the war, KA-52s were hyped as a kind of Apache killer. Now we see them dropping from the skies like flies. Is the platform bad? I like the counter-rotating blades as it reduces the mechanical inefficiency present when you have to torque a smaller rotor at the back of the helicopter.
Or it could just be a sign of the effectiveness of anti-air systems being used.
thebestaquaman@lemmy.world · 19 pts · 3y
I think "dropping like flies" is a bit of an overstatement when you regard the number of sorties being flown. I think this is more a sign of how saturated the airspace is with AA, if any pilot is just a bit uncareful or unlucky, they will get shot down.
Tbf. these have been more effective than I would have liked to see against Ukrainian armour, and we even have a video of one surviving having its tail shot off.
As for how they would do if western aircraft were in the air: That might be a different story, and not one I'm going to speculate about.
Tilted@programming.dev · 4 pts · 3y
Hopefully we can provide enough airpower to give Ukraine the air superiority, or at least even the playing field
cloudless@feddit.uk · 1 pts · 3y
Who are "we"?
Tilted@programming.dev · 4 pts · 3y
NATO, the West, anyone who supports Ukraine
Jaysyn@kbin.social · 1 pts · 3y
F-16's are fantastic at SEAD & Ukrainian pilots are currently training on them.
Locorock@artemis.camp · 3 pts · 3y
yeah, too bad they're aren't getting them in time for this counteroffensive
GiuseppeAndTheYeti@midwest.social · 1 pts · 3y
Would have loved for that to be the case, but I'm glad that they're not rushing their deployment only to lose half to training deficiencies.
temmink@feddit.de · 3 pts · 3y
Finally new material for Drones for Ukraine!