[Goose]

https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/43...ir-vehicle

In my quest to find a way that Ukraine can inflict damage on Russia, I am somewhat optimistic about using something like QF-4 drones to attack "important" targets in Russia. The recent attacks by Ukraine presumably using TU-141 drones indicates that Russia is at least somewhat vulnerable to such attacks. Russia (Putin) has also stated that if the US provides Ukraine with long-range weapons and Ukraine uses such weapons to attack Russia proper, Ukraine will consider it an act of war by the US. For that reason, the US will probably NOT be supplying such weaponry for use against Russia.

The US no longer uses QF-4 drones, having moved on to QF-16 drones. Several NATO states, such as Turkey and Greece, still have and use F-4 aircraft. Turkey has the ability to convert F-4s into QF-4s. There are several companies that can do the same.
https://www.militaryfactory.com/aircraft...aft_id=686
These "aircraft" could easily carry six 2000 lb bombs from Odessa to the Kerch Strait bridge (for example). A coordinated low altitude attack by 8 to 12 drones from the Black Sea has a very good chance of succeeding, especially if this is the first use of such a weapon. Such an attack could put the bridge out of action indefinitely. Ukraine could simply buy them on the open market. Russia couldn't blame us, we didn't supply them. (We may have paid for them, but that's a technicality). Similarly, these drones can attack Russian bases at significant distances from Ukraine. Even the TU-95/TU-22 bases on the Caspian Sea would be within range of a one-way attack. Maintaining an effective air defense from these drones would be a significant additional load for the Russians at the very least.

The other good point about these drones is that all the construction and checkout can be done outside of Ukraine, not burdening their already stressed industry with those tasks. Only those drones that attack successfully and RTB would need maintaining :-). (seriously, you actually can drop the bombs, not carry them down with you). I think this approach should be considered. It is certainly better than nothing.

[Goose]

https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/43...ir-vehicle

In my quest to find a way that Ukraine can inflict damage on Russia, I am somewhat optimistic about using something like QF-4 drones to attack "important" targets in Russia. The recent attacks by Ukraine presumably using TU-141 drones indicates that Russia is at least somewhat vulnerable to such attacks. Russia (Putin) has also stated that if the US provides Ukraine with long-range weapons and Ukraine uses such weapons to attack Russia proper, Ukraine will consider it an act of war by the US. For that reason, the US will probably NOT be supplying such weaponry for use against Russia.

The US no longer uses QF-4 drones, having moved on to QF-16 drones. Several NATO states, such as Turkey and Greece, still have and use F-4 aircraft. Turkey has the ability to convert F-4s into QF-4s. There are several companies that can do the same.
https://www.militaryfactory.com/aircraft...aft_id=686
These "aircraft" could easily carry six 2000 lb bombs from Odessa to the Kerch Strait bridge (for example). A coordinated low altitude attack by 8 to 12 drones from the Black Sea has a very good chance of succeeding, especially if this is the first use of such a weapon. Such an attack could put the bridge out of action indefinitely. Ukraine could simply buy them on the open market. Russia couldn't blame us, we didn't supply them. (We may have paid for them, but that's a technicality). Similarly, these drones can attack Russian bases at significant distances from Ukraine. Even the TU-95/TU-22 bases on the Caspian Sea would be within range of a one-way attack. Maintaining an effective air defense from these drones would be a significant additional load for the Russians at the very least.

The other good point about these drones is that all the construction and checkout can be done outside of Ukraine, not burdening their already stressed industry with those tasks. Only those drones that attack successfully and RTB would need maintaining :-). (seriously, you actually can drop the bombs, not carry them down with you). I think this approach should be considered. It is certainly better than nothing.