[GK3]

https://www.yahoo.com/news/yak-52-kill-m...50621.html

Another great idea/adaptation by Ukraine. These YAK-52s don't have a radar. They have to acquire targets visually to shoot at them. They can be vectored toward their targets by radio, but since they are not real fast the range is limited. All that said, it works well. F-16s in this role will work even better for many reasons. That doesn't mean Ukraine should stop using YAK-52s (subject to de-confliction issues). It is a good use of skilled pilots who are too old to pull 6 Gs regularly :-). These pilots also can fly the plane from day 1. The will need some practice, but unfortunately the Russians will give them plenty of targets to learn on.

As they say, Necessity is the mother of invention.

[GK3]

https://www.yahoo.com/news/yak-52-kill-m...50621.html

Another great idea/adaptation by Ukraine. These YAK-52s don't have a radar. They have to acquire targets visually to shoot at them. They can be vectored toward their targets by radio, but since they are not real fast the range is limited. All that said, it works well. F-16s in this role will work even better for many reasons. That doesn't mean Ukraine should stop using YAK-52s (subject to de-confliction issues). It is a good use of skilled pilots who are too old to pull 6 Gs regularly :-). These pilots also can fly the plane from day 1. The will need some practice, but unfortunately the Russians will give them plenty of targets to learn on.

As they say, Necessity is the mother of invention.