Venom6
Member
We have no surface presence in the Black Sea, they do. But at a mile deep, and everything else they got going, they might not be able to recover it. Software was torched.
Why? Drop Fuel on the Drone
- Thread starter Bekeart
- Start date
[ame]https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=kvNAid29vv8[/ame]
I heard on tonight's news that the Russian navy was able to get to the spot where the drone went down but they didn't hang around long because they were within range of Ukranian shore based missiles. That would have been some sweet payback. I guess they are justified in being a little jittery about such things after they lost their flagship to a couple of such missiles early in the war.
That's fine until something go Oops!
Hair Trigger
US Veteran
My take on the Russian pilots dumping fuel on the drone was they were hoping maybe for the engine to ingest the fuel and either catch fire or to damage the engine (it is a small turboprop engine). Failing to do either one, they start coming in close to try and hit the drone to damage it enough for it to crash.
The fuel dumping can be seen as malicious behavior, but not an overt attack on the drone. "Accidentally" hitting the drone can be claimed as just that, an accident while performing the malicious behavior, also without performing an overt aggressive act to destroy the drone. Had they hung back and launched a missile at it, their intent becomes obvious and indefensible as anything but an offensive move. Pretty smart on the Russians' part, I think. The declassified video released by the US from the drone's cameras makes it clear that whatever they were trying to do, it was intentional to damage or destroy the drone.
The fuel dumping can be seen as malicious behavior, but not an overt attack on the drone. "Accidentally" hitting the drone can be claimed as just that, an accident while performing the malicious behavior, also without performing an overt aggressive act to destroy the drone. Had they hung back and launched a missile at it, their intent becomes obvious and indefensible as anything but an offensive move. Pretty smart on the Russians' part, I think. The declassified video released by the US from the drone's cameras makes it clear that whatever they were trying to do, it was intentional to damage or destroy the drone.
DWalt
Member
I suppose that pilot will be awarded the Hero of the Russian Federation medal.
Chubbs103
US Veteran
The LANTIRN pod on the Tomcat was susceptible to fuel spray when tanking. If you left the pod open, the spray when you plugged or disconnected (or sometimes during tanking) could definitely leave a residue that could prevent use of the pod.
HOUSTON RICK
Member
We finally got the footage the Russians did not want the drone to see:
youtube fashion show wendy's - Bing video
youtube fashion show wendy's - Bing video
Jet fuel is heavy like diesel and not as vaporous as av gas. I think to get the right combination of air, vapor, and spark (and thus an explosion) would be difficult.
I think the engine choking theory is more likely. When that failed, the deliberate collision ensued.
Last edited:
You would think that a 32 million dollar drone would have been treated with 4 dollars worth of Rain-X.
That seems plausible...foul the compressor, except that didn't work. There is at least several maneuvers the pilots could have used to take the drone off point, but then again...maybe [they] weren't trained to that level.
If the drone had about 4 pounds of C4 inside the outcome would have been very different.
LVSteve
Member
One of the gags in WWII to deal with the V1 was to tip it by getting the wing of your Tempest or Spitfire XIV under theirs. In this case, I doubt the Su-27 could fly slow enough to make it work.
Yep. They did it with Hurricanes and Typhoons too.
Attachments
Yup...that may have worked in this case but aren't these drones ground controlled and would allow for recovery? I don't know.
LVSteve
Member
I'd bet money that the Hurricane wasn't fast enough at low level. Interweb suggests the Mustang and the Mosquito also engaged the V-1.
I don't know the specs' on the V1 but I'm betting the Merlins would have no problem overtaking the V1 pulse jet.
YeshuaIsa53
Member
Making something and operating it can double the cost of an asset. Maybe DoD is trying to give the benefit of doubt, rather than an all out war with Russia. There are different folk at the current helm.
What would we have done had it happened near here? Most everyone knows the costs of war.
What would we have done had it happened near here? Most everyone knows the costs of war.
