UAV Issues

[PlasmaKrab]

hmmm.... doesn't that mean you'll be able to empty the enemy SAM units by running UAV sorties a couple of turns before sending in the air strikes/helicopter assault...

Well, that is one of the points of spotter aircrafts, and SEAD strikes additionally... Both benefit from being sent before the strike planes (well, actually you player benefit...).

That is also why, when you have a big air opposition, you'd better set some to short range so they don't waste too many shots; and buy some ammo sections along.

[Shadowcougar]

UAV's fly at 5000 feet or higher. they are out of the mess of AK and mg fire. that is what I am saying. Predator flys up to 30,000 ft as does the Globial Hawk(in fact higher). Spotter ac and SEAD craft fly slower do to using the mk 1 eyeball instead of cameras and other devices. there are other uav's but I don't beleieve that they fly into AK fire envolopes. they would be very hard to hit wirh IR SAMs but Radar and Laser guided SAMs would be possible. Also big AA would have a chance to engage. they are small but don't jink at all.

They should be hard to hit and not disposible after a half a mission.

[PlasmaKrab]

there are other uav's but I don't beleieve that they fly into AK fire envolopes

isn't that the point of UAVs? Light low-alt UAVs can be shot at by just anyone, but that means they will spot them, won't they? So no firing at them would require reducing range...

I think the point is not Predators getting shot at, but Predators being in control of battalion commanders at all...
What I meant with spotter planes is that UAV use the same code. So nothing can prevent them flying 200ft high.
Aren't there smaller UAVs in the US army?

[Rampager83]

ShadowCouger hits it on the head! At 5,000 feet, I doubt the visual and sound signatures would even be noticed by your average INF or ARM unit.

FLAX/AAA MIGHT be a threat, but you still have the detection issue to begin with. On a busy battlefield, who has time to stare at the sky (other than the SAM/AAA units).

Also, and I'm not sure the engine will support this, the UAV is under INTELLIGENT control back in REMF-land. If a target moves it should be able to track it.

Plus, it seems the UAV hit rate (on enemy units) is a bit low: Steady platform, moving slow, can SEE the target, etc..

Buddy

[Shadowcougar]

There is the HUNTER RQ-5A (used by US Army, USMC, France, and Belguim)and will fly as high as 20000 ft. they use the Global Hawk. they use the predator. they also have some smaller ones either in use or under devlopment.

the new ones are very small and quiet and very difficult to kill. mt no 1 argument is uav's are to easy to kill.


http://www.army-technology.com/projects/hunter/
http://www.af.mil/factsheets/factsheet.asp?fsID=175
http://www.airforce-technology.com/projects/predator/
http://www.vectorsite.net/twuav08.html