[Goose]

https://www.yahoo.com/news/cit-expert-ex...00875.html discusses the overall situation in Donbas. I think it is an excellent article. If puts HIMARS/MLRS into context with Russian SRBM and cruise missiles in an understandable way. It also correctly points out that the four large drones the US is providing will probably never be used for anything but reconnaissance. These drones have high resolution optics that allow them to survey large areas continuously and target several artillery/missile strikes at once. Many people seem to believe that the US has high-resolution PHOTINT of the entire earth surface available 24/7. That isn't anywhere near true. Satellites in synchronous orbit can see a lot of the earth's surface but generally with limited resolution. LEO satellites are much better resolution wise, but only provide data when passing over the area of interest. That is why the US flies so many high altitude drones. They can provide persistent coverage with high resolution, which is what one needs to target and evaluate missile/artillery strikes. The Turkish Bayraktar drones are good but provide a limited field of view and limited resolution. To fully use HIMARS, you need good targeting. Thus the Gray Eagle drones.

[Goose]

https://www.yahoo.com/news/cit-expert-ex...00875.html discusses the overall situation in Donbas. I think it is an excellent article. If puts HIMARS/MLRS into context with Russian SRBM and cruise missiles in an understandable way. It also correctly points out that the four large drones the US is providing will probably never be used for anything but reconnaissance. These drones have high resolution optics that allow them to survey large areas continuously and target several artillery/missile strikes at once. Many people seem to believe that the US has high-resolution PHOTINT of the entire earth surface available 24/7. That isn't anywhere near true. Satellites in synchronous orbit can see a lot of the earth's surface but generally with limited resolution. LEO satellites are much better resolution wise, but only provide data when passing over the area of interest. That is why the US flies so many high altitude drones. They can provide persistent coverage with high resolution, which is what one needs to target and evaluate missile/artillery strikes. The Turkish Bayraktar drones are good but provide a limited field of view and limited resolution. To fully use HIMARS, you need good targeting. Thus the Gray Eagle drones.