The War in Ukraine

[GR66]

From CNN:

Founder of pro-Russian paramilitary group dies in explosion in Moscow​

The founder of a pro-Russian militia group in eastern Ukraine, described by authorities in Kyiv as a “criminal mastermind”, has died following a bombing in central Moscow, according to Russian state media.

Armen Sarkisyan died Monday at a Moscow hospital from injuries sustained in an explosion in an upmarket residential complex in the capital city, TASS quoted the medical services as saying. The Russian Investigative Committee later confirmed Sarkisyan’s death, stating that “despite the assistance provided, one of the victims died in a medical facility.”

 

[Cloud Cover]

Not sure how old this is, but here is Ukraine using a “mothership” airborne drone to launch smaller killer drones for A2A combat against Russian drones. The ️ is nearly complete.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1886496453897449489

 

[GR66]

Ukraine is reportedly using laser weapons to counter Russian drones:

Ukraine confirms use of laser weapons

Ukraine has begun deploying laser weapons against Russian forces, with the technology already striking enemy targets, according to Vadym Sukharevskyi, Commander of the Armed Forces of Ukraine’s Unmanned Systems Forces. In an interview with Radio Svoboda, Sukharevskyi confirmed that Ukraine’s...

defence-blog.com

The article mentions a domestically produced laser weapon but I'd be shocked if various Western companies aren't using Ukraine as a testing ground for their laser weapons.

Hopefully Canada has information sharing agreements in place with Ukraine and our allies to review and assess data that comes out of the war with respect to the effectiveness of various weapon systems. Laser weapons have the potential to be a game changer in terms of a cost effective counter the proliferation of uncrewed aerial systems. My understanding is that US combat tests of laser systems in Syria and Iraq showed fairly significant issues with performance in poor weather conditions.

 

[KevinB]

Ukraine is reportedly using laser weapons to counter Russian drones:

Ukraine confirms use of laser weapons

Ukraine has begun deploying laser weapons against Russian forces, with the technology already striking enemy targets, according to Vadym Sukharevskyi, Commander of the Armed Forces of Ukraine’s Unmanned Systems Forces. In an interview with Radio Svoboda, Sukharevskyi confirmed that Ukraine’s...

defence-blog.com

The article mentions a domestically produced laser weapon but I'd be shocked if various Western companies aren't using Ukraine as a testing ground for their laser weapons.

Hopefully Canada has information sharing agreements in place with Ukraine and our allies to review and assess data that comes out of the war with respect to the effectiveness of various weapon systems. Laser weapons have the potential to be a game changer in terms of a cost effective counter the proliferation of uncrewed aerial systems. My understanding is that US combat tests of laser systems in Syria and Iraq showed fairly significant issues with performance in poor weather conditions.

Biggest issues with ground system energy systems (not just lasers) is power requirements. Fixed position systems can actually generate a lot of power (similar to ships) but also not have the same environmental issues that have hampered some of the effectiveness when deployed on ships.

 

[Staff Weenie]

Biggest issues with ground system energy systems (not just lasers) is power requirements. Fixed position systems can actually generate a lot of power (similar to ships) but also not have the same environmental issues that have hampered some of the effectiveness when deployed on ships.

I wonder what the rate of fire would be? And, does adverse weather impact the ability to use it - for example, would rain cause diffraction and scattering of the beam?

 

[KevinB]

I wonder what the rate of fire would be? And, does adverse weather impact the ability to use it - for example, would rain cause diffraction and scattering of the beam?

IIRC the cycle time was depended on "burst" length which was dependent upon target and the effect needed on the target.
E.G. Burning through a warhead or artillery shell requires a lot more power than burning though a UAS body but that matrix and weather specific limitations (sandstorms, rain or heavy fog, and salt spray build up on the "lens array" where in closed briefings - all the OS stuff was fairly vague as to the degradation caused by various weather and environmental affects.

 

[MilEME09]

I wonder what the rate of fire would be? And, does adverse weather impact the ability to use it - for example, would rain cause diffraction and scattering of the beam?

Think the power output would be strong enough rain droplets would likely vaporize on contact with the beam, I would imagine it might reduce its range though the further from the weapon you get.

 

[McG]

Light energy absorbed to turn water from liquid to gas is gone before the beam reaches anything farther away. Anything that attenuates light will impact on the range of a laser (including the air we breathe).

 

[Retired AF Guy]

From CNN:

Founder of pro-Russian paramilitary group dies in explosion in Moscow​

Possibility that it was a suicide bomber that did the deed, which would be very unusual. More here;

Suicide Bomber Reportedly Kills Leader of Russia’s 'Arbat' Battalion, Armen Sarkisyan, in Moscow Explosion

A suicide bombing in Moscow claimed the life of Armen Sarkisyan, leader of the 'Arbat' Battalion and Boxing Federation of the Donetsk People’s Republic.

united24media.com

Pro-Kremlin Paramilitary Leader Killed in Suspected Suicide Bombing – Reports - The Moscow Times

A bomb explosion that killed a pro-Kremlin paramilitary leader from eastern Ukraine may have been a suicide attack, Russian media reported Tuesday, citing law enforcement sources.

www.themoscowtimes.com

 

[KevinB]

Possibility that it was a suicide bomber that did the deed, which would be very unusual. More here;

Suicide Bomber Reportedly Kills Leader of Russia’s 'Arbat' Battalion, Armen Sarkisyan, in Moscow Explosion

A suicide bombing in Moscow claimed the life of Armen Sarkisyan, leader of the 'Arbat' Battalion and Boxing Federation of the Donetsk People’s Republic.

united24media.com

Pro-Kremlin Paramilitary Leader Killed in Suspected Suicide Bombing – Reports - The Moscow Times

A bomb explosion that killed a pro-Kremlin paramilitary leader from eastern Ukraine may have been a suicide attack, Russian media reported Tuesday, citing law enforcement sources.

www.themoscowtimes.com

Not a Russian first though. They have had their share of domestic Bombings that the bombers haven’t planned on walking away from.