"We are showing the system to partners in Europe. There is already interest, but large-scale purchases will follow once the full inspection cycle is completed. We are also working on installing various payloads, from combat modules to laser systems," Belbas said in an interview with NV.

Honestly I would think traditional explosives like missiles and airburst munitions would be a better fit for unmanned air defense systems, they are inherently dangerous to operate if you come under attack unlike a laser system. This is a minor aside though, this platform seems perfect for airfield defense (also emergency response, fighting dangerous very high temperature aircraft fuel fires for example) and long distance backline air defense patrols on traditional road systems.

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[–] nymnympseudonym@piefed.social 14 points 2 weeks ago (1 children)

Imagine if the US partnered with Ukraine to make millions of laser drones in 12 months instead of going alone to make 1 railgun ship in ... maybe never

[–] supersquirrel@sopuli.xyz 16 points 2 weeks ago* (last edited 2 weeks ago) (1 children)

Imagine if the US and others got serious about denying parts for Russian jets all these absurdly expensive air defenses are designed to shoot down?

Barely a single Russian jet would be able to leave the ground which would be a major financial cliff for the defense companies that run the US and would be deemed an unacceptable escalation of hostilities.

Scratch a Russian fighter-bomber and a Western fighter-bomber bleeds.

[–] nymnympseudonym@piefed.social 10 points 2 weeks ago

Imagine if the US was an ally to Democracies and we did both

[–] resipsaloquitur@lemmy.world 1 points 2 weeks ago

If you’ve wondered why stealth “fighters” are such a big deal, this is why. Laser technology will be trickling down to every country soon. And it’s much easier than intercepting a hypersonic missile with another missile.