Drone appears to be a version of the "Switchblade" with a bit greater range and loiter time. Same warhead. Manufactured by AEVEX Aerospace (Solana Beach, CA).
Putting this up on my Hotmail. The euros, as usual are total fail. sorry, 98% fail. But lets not be overcome at our own goodness. We needed to100%, we've done 80%, all the while trembling about a Putin nuclear strike. We're allowing this bantam class boxer to dictate our foreign policy. Soon we'll be panicking because an asteroid can hit, so may as well quiver in our pink booties and hide underground. Oh, also our sun will be done in 5-billion years and our universe in 10 x 10^114 years (or whatever measure you want to use), so better hide now. We re scared to death of Russia, does anyone really think we will stand up to China?
There doesn't seem to be any real info on the drones beyond Kirby's vague statements. Summation of these, some speculation on Phoenix Ghost (with open admission of not really knowing anything) and a bit of public info on AEVEX's contract is here:
Also, judging by early Twitter mentions of attempts to get some quotes from AEVEX, their PR dept. seems good at fending such attempts off as tersely as possible. My inner info junkie is annoyed, my inner OPSEC minded curmudgeon is for once very happy.
"one-way aircraft that is effective against medium armored ground targets”
"The drone can take off vertically, fly for six-plus hours searching for or tracking a target, and operate at night using its infrared sensors, Deptula said. Phoenix Ghost has a longer loitering capability than the Switchblade, which can fly for less than an hour, he said.”
We are a good people,
Drone appears to be a version of the "Switchblade" with a bit greater range and loiter time. Same warhead. Manufactured by AEVEX Aerospace (Solana Beach, CA).
I’ll call Radio Shack and see if they have a Phoenix Ghost in stock.
Ask for a 68-2458. It's a special order from the Fort Worth warehouse.
Putting this up on my Hotmail. The euros, as usual are total fail. sorry, 98% fail. But lets not be overcome at our own goodness. We needed to100%, we've done 80%, all the while trembling about a Putin nuclear strike. We're allowing this bantam class boxer to dictate our foreign policy. Soon we'll be panicking because an asteroid can hit, so may as well quiver in our pink booties and hide underground. Oh, also our sun will be done in 5-billion years and our universe in 10 x 10^114 years (or whatever measure you want to use), so better hide now. We re scared to death of Russia, does anyone really think we will stand up to China?
There doesn't seem to be any real info on the drones beyond Kirby's vague statements. Summation of these, some speculation on Phoenix Ghost (with open admission of not really knowing anything) and a bit of public info on AEVEX's contract is here:
https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/mysterious-ghost-phoenix-suicide-drones-headed-to-ukraine
Also, judging by early Twitter mentions of attempts to get some quotes from AEVEX, their PR dept. seems good at fending such attempts off as tersely as possible. My inner info junkie is annoyed, my inner OPSEC minded curmudgeon is for once very happy.
Update from Politico:
https://www.politico.com/news/2022/04/21/mystery-drone-air-force-new-weapon-ukraine-00026970?2
"one-way aircraft that is effective against medium armored ground targets”
"The drone can take off vertically, fly for six-plus hours searching for or tracking a target, and operate at night using its infrared sensors, Deptula said. Phoenix Ghost has a longer loitering capability than the Switchblade, which can fly for less than an hour, he said.”