I've long worried--since 2003--that attack helicopters are running out of room to be effective on the battlefield for deep strike because of greatly improved ground-based air defense weapons. One means of overcoming that threat is increasing the range of helicopter weapons. We have turned that dial to 11.
Huh:
Weapons manufacturer Anduril developed a new drone weapon for the Apache attack helicopter in only six months. This weapon was tested when an AH-64 launched this drone for the first time. It flew 457 kilometers and had an impact similar to a Hellfire missile.
That's great for existing helicopters. And we already started down that path. I suspect this much effort is made because for the Army, when you can't be with the one you love, love the one you are with.
But in the long run, why can't cheap trucks carry that Anduril weapon? Or other weapons.
Still, despite my worry I accept that counter-measures plus different weapons and tactics could preserve the helicopter's role. But is the cost worth the result?
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