You have commented 339 times on Rantburg.

Your Name
Your e-mail (optional)
Website (optional)
My Original Nic        Pic-a-Nic        Sorry. Comments have been closed on this article.
Bold Italic Underline Strike Bullet Blockquote Small Big Link Squish Foto Photo
Submit your comments on this article
Caucasus/Russia/Central Asia
Ukraine Gets Huge Boost In Deadly Drone Capabilities From U.S.
2023-02-25
[The Drive] Anti-tank loitering munitions, long-range strike capabilities, and high-endurance vertical takeoff drones are all in the latest aid package.

The U.S. military has announced a new aid package for Ukraine that is packed with drones and loitering munitions, among other things. This includes AeroVironment Switchblade 600s and Jump 20s, CyberLux K8s, and Area-I ALTIUS-600s. This appears to be the first time the latter three types have been included in a tranche of American military assistance for the Ukrainian armed forces. The ALTIUS-600s, especially, could give Ukrainian forces all-new long-range precision strike capabilities, among other potential benefits.

The Pentagon formally announced the new aid for Ukraine's military, which is valued at approximately $2 billion in total, earlier today. The U.S. government is providing this particular package as part of the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative (USAI). Unlike U.S. military assistance that comes in the form of so-called 'drawdowns,' which involve transferring materiel straight from its own stocks, USAI provides funds to make direct purchases to support Ukraine.

A full list of the new aid package's contents as provided by the U.S. Department of Defense is as follows:

  • Additional ammunition for High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS)

  • Additional 155mm artillery rounds

  • Munitions for laser-guided rocket systems

  • CyberLux K8 UAS

  • Switchblade 600 UAS

  • Altius-600 UAS

  • Jump 20 UAS

  • Counter-UAS and electronic warfare detection equipment

  • Mine clearing equipment

  • Secure communications support equipment

  • Funding for training, maintenance, and sustainment

The drones and loitering munitions are clearly the standout items here.

The Pentagon has previously announced plans to acquire Switchblade 600s for Ukraine under USAI. Jump 20s, ALTIUS-600s, and CyberLux K8s have not been included in any prior U.S. military aid packages for the Ukrainian armed forces, at least according to what the Pentagon has disclosed to date.
Description of drones follow. Drones launching drones and smart munitions.
Posted by:Ebbains Threrenter5475

#2  Ukraine Gets Huge Boost In Deadly Drone Capabilities From U.S.

They're sending Antifa?
Posted by: Procopius2k   2023-02-25 11:17  

#1  Popular Mechanics - The Witch of Ukraine Reveals How 'Teeny-Weeny' American Weapons Are Beating Russians
Posted by: Besoeker   2023-02-25 06:04  

00:00