[Goose]

https://www.yahoo.com/news/patriot-air-d...09284.html

There is an interesting comment made in this article.

But the greater purpose of this complex will be to create a certain situation on certain threatening fronts, to drive away enemy aircraft from our borders.

This could be a reference to the Russian fighters that orbit at high altitude and shoot at Ukrainian aircraft that are attacking Russian positions at low altitude. Patriot can do this, particularly with PAC-2 missiles that have the range to reach out 100 miles from the launcher. The anti-radiation missiles can also do this job. Ukraine doesn't have the ability to do this right now, probably because their S-300s don't have the right missiles available to do so. S-400s may, but it depends on the load out (and Ukraine doesn't have S-400s). Obviously one Patriot battery can't do this country-wide, but if deployed "near" an offensive operation, it could clear the sky for Ukrainian air, particularly the first time this is attempted.

The Russian aircraft can avoid being shot down by diving below the radar horizon (or shooting down the missile. Wouldn't count on that). However, if they do that they can no longer see their targets either and become useless. They can get low enough quickly enough only if they (or somebody else who tells them) detects the Patriot launch and assumes what the target is very quickly. The Russian fighters themselves probably WON'T detect the launch because it will be off axis and/or they are prosecuting their own targets. The missiles aren't nearly as detectable as an SU-25.

It is also good to know the Ukrainian's aren't going to waste Patriot interceptors on Iranian drones unless "absolutely necessary".

[Goose]

https://www.yahoo.com/news/patriot-air-d...09284.html

There is an interesting comment made in this article.

But the greater purpose of this complex will be to create a certain situation on certain threatening fronts, to drive away enemy aircraft from our borders.

This could be a reference to the Russian fighters that orbit at high altitude and shoot at Ukrainian aircraft that are attacking Russian positions at low altitude. Patriot can do this, particularly with PAC-2 missiles that have the range to reach out 100 miles from the launcher. The anti-radiation missiles can also do this job. Ukraine doesn't have the ability to do this right now, probably because their S-300s don't have the right missiles available to do so. S-400s may, but it depends on the load out (and Ukraine doesn't have S-400s). Obviously one Patriot battery can't do this country-wide, but if deployed "near" an offensive operation, it could clear the sky for Ukrainian air, particularly the first time this is attempted.

The Russian aircraft can avoid being shot down by diving below the radar horizon (or shooting down the missile. Wouldn't count on that). However, if they do that they can no longer see their targets either and become useless. They can get low enough quickly enough only if they (or somebody else who tells them) detects the Patriot launch and assumes what the target is very quickly. The Russian fighters themselves probably WON'T detect the launch because it will be off axis and/or they are prosecuting their own targets. The missiles aren't nearly as detectable as an SU-25.

It is also good to know the Ukrainian's aren't going to waste Patriot interceptors on Iranian drones unless "absolutely necessary".