Changing strengths vulnerabilties of war weapons

It is more fun criticizing

The published and actual performances of weapons varies.  It may have to do with climate, the users, and other battle conditions

1. Drones

    1.  The Turkish drones exhibited superior performance in Ukraine war.  However, lately, no niews

          have been heard.

    2.  The Chinese drones are superior in number and cheaper than US drones

2.  Unmanned sea and air vehicles

     1.  More survivability;   less political backlash, less problem in recruitment and training.  The US seemed to be ahead in this

3.  Tanks

     1,Merveka tanks of Israel can easily be destroyed by Iranian tanks

     2. Abrams and Bradley tanks -  easy prey to Russian drones and their cheap missile.  The Ukrainians

         put another layer of wire mesh protection vs anti tank projectiles.   But now the very expensive 

         war machines are not sol invincicble after all

4.  Air defense system

     With an excellent air defense system, the jet fighters, even the stealth ones become obsolete

      However good helicopters with their missile system can defeat from a distance a $400 million

      air defense system

5.  Missile system

     As was seen in Israel example, sheer volume of missiles launched, even cruide and cheap ones

     can confuse even multiple air defense system.  Even in Iran missile attack to Israel, the defense vs

    $500 million missiles launched vs Israel. cost a staggering  $1.5 billion in a matter of hours from

    combined naval, air, and land defense system from two powerful countries.  Not cost effective eh

Some lessens:

1.  It is not technological  superiority, it it is sheer volume. The less superior American tanks (but more in number won the tank battless in Europe in WWII M4 Sherman tanks.    Will power and strategy

2.  Survivability, being unmanned is now the name of the game

3.  Aircraft carriers, jet plane and weapons are not preferred anymore.  Missiles and defense system

    therofre, the search for superiority shall be in this area

Evolving warfare technology renders current military hardware obsolete

It is more fun criticizing

                                                          Cheap Turkish drones

                                                          Armed drones from China to Ukraine

                                                           UK made NLAW

                                                  Shoulder fired anti aircraft weapon

                                               Russian destroyer Moskva listing on fire

The current war at Ukraine vs Russia, and the corresponding victories and defeats show the  vulnerability of current military hardwaree.  Russia lost thousands of troops, aircraft hundreds of tanks  and even their prized flagship Moskva to a missile attack.  It was supposed to be an air defense missile and  launch pad of cruise missile and anti aircraft missiles

Some game changers:

1.  The drones from Turkey and US

    1.  To scan and observe the battle situation

    2.  To deliver munition payload vs the adversaries

2.  Shoulder carried:

   1.  Anti tank weapons, Javelin and NLAW from UK

   2.  Anti aircraft soldier carried weapons.

Some of the technologies may no longer be effective:

    1.  Aircrafts:   helicopter and jet fighters

    2.  Battleships and aircraft carriers

    3.  Tanks and mechanized warfare

What would remain would probably:

   1.  Much tougher tanks (like the Abrams)

   2.  Different kind of aircraft that can evade RPgs or shoulder carried weapons

   3.  Smaller frigates and corvettes equipped with missiles

   4   Multiple missile launchers

The history of weaponry and warfare could be classified as:

  1.  Ancient times

      Infantry foot soldiers with bow and arrow and swords

2.  Medieval times 

     Castles and missile launching equipment

     Armor clad knights, and gunpowder

3.  Modern times:

     World War 1 and 2:

     1.  Tanks

     2. Machine guns

     3.  Howitzers

     4.  Aircrafts

     5.  Naval armaments:   battle ships, destroyers 

4.  Desert storm 

    continuation of use of WW2 technology:

    1.  Bigger and faster aircraft carrier

    2.  Faster jet planes with more weapons

    3.  Tanks with better weapons and armor  (Abrams tanks)

    4.  Innovation:   cruise missiles, precision guided bombing

5.  Unrestricted warfare by the PLA

     The Chinese army colonels proposed an unrestricted warfare, not only carried at the  military 

     front, but economy, at IT, trade, commerce, finance.   or even bactrerioligical warfare.  Some alleged

     that covid 19 was part of this strategy.  

     The sanctions being imosed by US by Nato, EU on Russia are part of this UW.

6.  The Ukraine war

     Changed the outcome of the war with weapons that nullified the size of Russia and their blitz and

     juggernaut.    See how drones can humble a $3M tank or shoulder fired weapons downing a $20 

     million helicopeter or a a much more expensive SU#4

Switchblade Drones NLAW, other portable anti tank and anti aircraft weapons - a game changer

It is more fun criticizing

It could have been a quick and crushing war waged by Russia vs Ukraine. What with massive quantity of aircraft, tanks and personnel.  But no the war is past one month duration and it seems that the outcome are inconclusive.

News has it that Russia has lost 10% of its war assets, planes, and tanks.   And lost about 16,000 of its personnel.   

Drones that fly night and day detecting their troop movements, deliver  weapons vs the enemy And handheld weapons that has more than 90% kill rate of tanks.   Tanks and their supply lines are bogged down in thawing ice which makes their movement difficult

Now superiority in war machinery does not mean victory anymore.  But cunning and  modern tech like these:   NLAW and drones made the swift victory of Russia unreachable.   No need to arrest Putin's General.  Putin underestimated the cunning and determination of Ukrainians and the the new weapons of war

Switchblade Drones

Using Turkish drones could be a game changer in Ukraine

Russina Helicopter being shot down

                                              Turkish Drones being used in Ukraine war

Use of Drones for Journalism at University Nebraska

Social and political criticisms



From Drone Journalism Lab

University of Nebraska Lincoln Journalism Lab

We know of the uses of military drones being used in conflicts for reconnaisance, bombings and support for manned aircraft.  I know of an umanned aircraft being used for aerial survey and mapping.  Hence large surveying companies business are on the declinel.

A new use is the use of mini drones for journalism.  The University of Nebraska Journalism lab is developing such drones for journalism.  They can be used to do aerial shots of protest, accidents, of disasters, fires.But will their use be legal?  Their version uses propeller and called quadcopter.  Their Git Hub is obtaining Certifcate of Authorization from FAA to make such drones legal

What will be future of mass communication/journalism with drones?   Well it is cheaper compared to the regular helicopter.  A quadcopter might just cost $l,500.00.  It can be deployed fast adn through out during the day.  But the concern is intrusion into privacy and civil rights.   Will paparazzi have new tool?