eehnie wrote:Specific armament very likely to be incorpored to CAS UAVs would be:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/S-25_(rocket) (variants under 5 Km of range)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/S-13_rocket (variants under 5 Km of range)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/S-8_(rocket) (variants under 5 Km of range)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/S-24_rocket
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/KMGU
Plus other options of high rate of fire (AGS-17, GShG-7.62, Yak-B 12.7mm,...) or bombs/mines for low altitude.
The consequence of the Su-25/28/39, Ka-50/52, Mi-28, the most modern variants of the Mi-8/.../24/... family (and maybe others) stop fighting under 5 Km of altitude, is that they will not use more these weapons as Air-Surface weapons, and as consequence, the launchers of these weapons in their pylons will be removed to install others of longer range. Also many launchers can be removed from units of older variants of the Mi-8/.../24/... family to scrappe or to be used as transport helicopters, and surely there are many more stored as spare parts from previously scrapped aircrafts and helicopters.
Single pylon CAS UAVs to continue using this armament would need to fly under the range of MANPADS, and as consequence would be designed under the philosophy of expendable material. But this would not be a problem because they have the potential of being dirt cheap.
Reconnaissance UAVs for low distance designed under expendable philosophy would be very light instead. Very small.
Short missions in time are key in both cases in order to make possible a bigger rate of recovery.
Over 5 Km of altitude = Over MANPADs range, the history is different.
Last edited by eehnie on Thu Oct 25, 2018 5:28 pm; edited 1 time in total