Thank you for this article, though I'm not sure the main thesis of "little change" in described infantry weapon platforms since 1983 holds up under scrutiny.
Major advances in integrated firing control systems with modern western artillery pieces has provided highly improved accuracy on the battlefield, as the current war in Ukraine demonstrates. The resulting greater attrition imposed on the enemy in troop, materiel, C2, and logistics networks is significantly contributing to a shift in the balance of force capabilities between the combatants - and quickly.
Another broad area of transformation in artillery applies to the munitions employed. Advances in modular propelling charges, improved range and precision shell enhancements, wide array of fuze types, and different munition payload options for different intended targets have also greatly improved artillery effectiveness. These developments can also be fairly described as revolutionary since they underlie an evident doctrinal evolution relying historically on indirect fire grid saturation to a more selective battlefield targeting that reduces rate of consumption while increasing fire mission success.
Without belaboring the point much further (think also of MLRS and Himars platforms, as well as generation improvements in mechanized capabilities, etc), the many changes in infantry weapons and support over this forty year period represent a quantum modernization leap that decisively overwhelms the earlier vintage systems.
If Ukraine is really losing 10,000 drones a month then while I support drones, I’m Raven trained, and support counter-drone even MOAR... BUT something other than cheerleading pom poms for drones needs to be considered.
This needs thought.
Every time something succeeds everyone loses their minds, there’s no measure that can’t be countered, and then counter-countered. Remember ECCM - Electronic Counter Measures Counter Measures?
Nagorno Kahbarak war had heavy Turk EW forward as well,
they were facing a generation or two or three behind air defense on Armenians part, but my important takeaway was the drone is part of a system, its vulnerable to being knocked down by counter drone EW, or even ground fire.
I’d take a look at this Drone/counter drone from Anduril .
Thank you for this article, though I'm not sure the main thesis of "little change" in described infantry weapon platforms since 1983 holds up under scrutiny.
Major advances in integrated firing control systems with modern western artillery pieces has provided highly improved accuracy on the battlefield, as the current war in Ukraine demonstrates. The resulting greater attrition imposed on the enemy in troop, materiel, C2, and logistics networks is significantly contributing to a shift in the balance of force capabilities between the combatants - and quickly.
Another broad area of transformation in artillery applies to the munitions employed. Advances in modular propelling charges, improved range and precision shell enhancements, wide array of fuze types, and different munition payload options for different intended targets have also greatly improved artillery effectiveness. These developments can also be fairly described as revolutionary since they underlie an evident doctrinal evolution relying historically on indirect fire grid saturation to a more selective battlefield targeting that reduces rate of consumption while increasing fire mission success.
Without belaboring the point much further (think also of MLRS and Himars platforms, as well as generation improvements in mechanized capabilities, etc), the many changes in infantry weapons and support over this forty year period represent a quantum modernization leap that decisively overwhelms the earlier vintage systems.
If Ukraine is really losing 10,000 drones a month then while I support drones, I’m Raven trained, and support counter-drone even MOAR... BUT something other than cheerleading pom poms for drones needs to be considered.
This needs thought.
Every time something succeeds everyone loses their minds, there’s no measure that can’t be countered, and then counter-countered. Remember ECCM - Electronic Counter Measures Counter Measures?
Nagorno Kahbarak war had heavy Turk EW forward as well,
they were facing a generation or two or three behind air defense on Armenians part, but my important takeaway was the drone is part of a system, its vulnerable to being knocked down by counter drone EW, or even ground fire.
I’d take a look at this Drone/counter drone from Anduril .
The road runner -
https://youtu.be/al9ITeP4fUA?si=2nmvWtAo4dz3ViPn
And LATTICE from Anduril.
LATTICE BTW is an integrated system.
https://youtu.be/al9ITeP4fUA?si=2nmvWtAo4dz3ViPn