We’re now nicely into the fourth yr of Russia’s tried annexation of Ukraine, to which the Ukrainians mentioned, “Get bent,” and have been doing an admirable job of holding that line. Certainly, what many as soon as believed was one of many final nice powers, r.e., Russia, has been proven to be a comparatively toothless bear, because the Ukrainians have completely shocked their counterparts who’ve been throwing our bodies on the battle since its inception.
However one of many coolest issues to see, if there even is such a factor in wartime the place of us are unnecessarily being killed as a result of long-standing idiotic views inside the Russian state, are all of the ingenious methods the Ukrainians have mobilized and used fashionable issues to win battles. You’ve got bought full-scale drone warfare, cyber warfare, autonomous automobiles, stolen automobiles, and improvised weapons platforms, extra generally identified inside the area as technicals.
All the pieces from bikes to BMWs has been utilized to its fullest extent. And whereas I feel the 7 Sequence made well-known by the film The Transporter that went viral a couple of weeks in the past was cool as shit, this Can-Am Maverick X3 Max strapped to the gils with twin Hellfire missile launchers, the identical one which’s presently in my very own storage minus the rockets, is maybe the best of all of them.
Somebody, please get me in touch with Northrop-Grumman, I want an improve.
First noticed by our pals over at UTV Driver, the strapped to the gills Maverick X3 was really constructed by V2X, and debuted late final yr on the Affiliation of america Military assembly in Washington. On the debut, the agency geared up the Maverick X3 with each a “COTS-based structure that detects, tracks, and intercepts Class 2 and Class 3 unmanned plane,” i.e., drones, and twin “AGM-114L Longbow missiles,” extra generally known as the Hellfire.
The whole platform itself, nevertheless, is known as the Tempest, and given the armaments, that is a fairly well-suited identify. Nevertheless it’s fascinating that the outfit went from prototype to totally fledged battlefield operations in such a short while, because the Ukrainian V2X Tempest is already knocking stuff out of the sky.
In line with The War Zone, “The Tempest was showcased in a video put out not too long ago by Ukraine’s Air Power Command Middle, suggesting that the flying department is the possible operator. Nonetheless, the brand new weapon was neither introduced nor recognized. The footage reveals a pair of Hellfire missiles being launched, purportedly in opposition to Russian drones, with tracer rounds additionally seen climbing into the night time sky.”
The usage of tactical side-by-sides is one which makes a ton of sense in a battlefield as various as Ukraine, and is why the U.S. authorities makes use of Polaris’ MRZRs, as these are machines that may get in, get out, and get going over any sort of terrain or via any climate, quick and with out challenge. They’re additionally a heck of so much cheaper than a number of the bespoke navy automobiles that has been developed by the Pentagon or DARPA. Why spend a pair million on an MRAP when you may spend $30,000 on a Maverick X3 and strap a pair missiles or .50 cal to the highest of it? Not that the federal authorities is sweet at reining in its spending, particularly on the subject of the navy.
However once more, the quantity of innovation popping out of Ukraine, whether or not it is supported by of us like V2X or home-grown, is simply fascinating to observe. And the usage of a Can-Am, whereas the standard mannequin is Polaris’ MRZR, speaks to the necessity for extra automobiles prefer it on the battlefield. Now, do you suppose V2X will promote me the Tempest equipment for…residence safety causes?
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