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paskahuussi89 t1_j2f65r4 wrote

Reply to comment by mycall in Iran tests military drones in wargame near Strait of Hormuz by Beckles28nz

If you have 200 of drones in air, a F-35 can reduce the amount to perhaps 196 with cost of $12,000,000.

It's easier and cheaper to let them fly near the target and then let radar controlled AA autocannons and short range missiles take them down. A few of them might break up enroute if you let them fly further.

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CompetitiveYou2034 t1_j2fn8t2 wrote

Repeat of lesson learned with Air Force interceptors in Vietnam, which were originally only equipped with air-to-air missiles. Then they faced Russian Migs in actual combat. Guns were added!

Moral: A true multi-role fighter must have a gun.

Future: A gun can fire a short burst at each drone. Very economical.

Add computer auto control and off-axis shooting, and the fighter can fly past a flock of drones, downing them all.

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Mirathecat22 t1_j2frrm9 wrote

F-35 does have a gun, it’s just the B and C variant that don’t. B, because the lift fan takes up the space where a lot of the gun would be and C I’m not too sure about tbh.

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Devourer_of_felines t1_j2fxla1 wrote

Modern fighters don’t carry nearly enough ammo for their Gatling guns for more than a handful of short bursts.

If you really need an airborne anti drone plane you’re probably better off mounting an auto cannon on a turret on the belly of an old bomber airframe.

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