RPG defenses for Helos
A Nation of Men
14-06-2007, 02:05
Article (http://www.popsci.com/popsci/technology/7bd4999bc5b82110vgnvcm1000004eecbccdrcrd.html)
Firing massive Kevlar and steel nets at inbound rocket-propelled grenades could save helicopters in combat
Interesting. I wonder if it's practical.
In Glasson’s system, the chopper’s radar calculates the speed and trajectory of an incoming grenade within milliseconds. Half a second later, pods of launch tubes on the helicopter aim and fire between one and eight unguided yard-long rockets on an intercept course with the grenade.
Hunter S Thompsonia
14-06-2007, 05:30
Article (http://www.popsci.com/popsci/technology/7bd4999bc5b82110vgnvcm1000004eecbccdrcrd.html)
Interesting. I wonder if it's practical.
That sounds hella-expensive. Several hundred dollar rocket versus god knows how much for the system. I can't see it ever reaching any large scale deployment.
Imperial isa
14-06-2007, 05:40
waste as it still comes down to how many russian RPGs are heading at you and how many you can stop
The Potato Factory
14-06-2007, 05:57
That sounds hella-expensive. Several hundred dollar rocket versus god knows how much for the system. I can't see it ever reaching any large scale deployment.
The system doesn't sound too much more expensive than any other military tech. It's not a fricken LASER weapon. It'd be worth it just to save the chopper.
The system doesn't sound too much more expensive than any other military tech. It's not a fricken LASER weapon. It'd be worth it just to save the chopper.
If we can see it in action, I'm willing to agree. It all depends on how well it actually performs, though. If it can save a lot of choppers, than I'm all for it. If it turns out to, at most, save one or two, or worse, doom more choppers, then I will be against it.
The Potato Factory
14-06-2007, 07:07
If we can see it in action, I'm willing to agree. It all depends on how well it actually performs, though. If it can save a lot of choppers, than I'm all for it. If it turns out to, at most, save one or two, or worse, doom more choppers, then I will be against it.
It seems like pretty basic science, compared to other military ventures (see: the "I'm on fire but I'm not!" ray). And people don't realise how much those choppers cost.
It seems like pretty basic science, compared to other military ventures (see: the "I'm on fire but I'm not!" ray). And people don't realise how much those choppers cost.
Aye. It's not the cost that worries me: it's the potential performance of the system. The net itself will probably work fine, but it is based on a computer that is supposed to calculate the trajectory and speed of an RPG on a second's basis which seems a little iffy to me, especially if multiple rockets were launched at once--which, if I were attack a helicopter, I would try to ensure in any case.
Still, it will probably perform more than adequately. I just want to see it tested first, that's all. Call it a case of prudence.