Orlan is a person sized drone with a sufficiently large heat signature that I could make it out and track it with decades old 2nd generation tank thermals on a 110 degree day in the desert at noon.
The Zala is more or less the same, just a bit smaller and faster. We don’t even train against these anymore, we train against drones with reduced IR, sound, and radar signature if we’re discussing reconnaissance drones. Though our job is to spot them not to engage, that is the air defense guys thing. Our job is self protection from FPV and other types of anti tank munitions, which are generally harder to spot due to size and speed more so than IR signature.
Regardless, the imaging infrared sensors would be pretty worthless today if they could only track larger than man sized objects with IR signatures produced by afterburning turbofans.
This change should affect Brimstone missile because it uses laser guidance, but I dont understand the extent to what they are describing. Does this change mean I can fire off Brimstones at a coordinate (w/ initial laser designation) and turn off the laser and have the Brimstone behave in a GPS manner?
It’s only for weapons with “aerodynamically stabilised seekers” (like on the paveway) which brimstone does not have
Paveway 4 did receive the fix despite functioning perfectly fine in the past since it’s IOG
Yeah PW4 still has the same seeker code, it just incorporates INS/GPS and uses that to correct the trajectory. Unsurprising it got the same fix while still being unaffected.
The Government is investing more than £650m to modernise the RAF’s Typhoon fighter jets
The upgrade will see ECRS Mk2 radars installed on 40 jets to boost detection and electronic warfare capability.
“ The latest contract will see 40 advanced European Common Radar System (ECRS) Mk2 radars fitted to RAF Typhoons, including 38 new systems and modifications to two test systems.
The radars will simultaneously detect, identify and track multiple targets in the air and on the ground.
The Government said the technology will ensure the RAF maintains its operational advantage in contested environments by providing high-powered jamming capability whilst engaging targets beyond the reach of threats.”
