Could Iran make even cheaper drones that aren't intended to accomplish anything except waste the use of those helicopters? I don't know how much it costs to operate them, but we've never focused on cost effectiveness in war (would be counter productive to feeding the arms industry endless wealth).
this post was submitted on 20 Mar 2026
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They might already be making decoys to send along with actual drones.
They do have decoys, in fact they've been focusing on spending their oldest inventory first.
Apache gunships to shoot down drones? That seems like an improvisation if ever there was one. It's stated neutrally, but unless they have some special anti-drone kit i don't know about, that seems like a tacit admission that the empire doesn't have much of a real answer to the drones.
It's actually quite cost effective and can work if conditions are right. But you need clear weather, aircraft with radar to vector the helicopters in, and slow flying one way attack drones, jet powered ones start going too for helicopters to intercept.
Russia and Ukraine have been doing this for years.
That makes sense I guess
Are the Apaches slow enough for a Shahed to hit @MarmiteLover123@hexbear.net them ?
At some points in flight, yes. But you'd need some sort of guidance system or human operator, and the helicopter can always out accelerate them. Putting air to air missiles or MANPADS on them can also be done, but the helicopters won't be doing it alone, there will be fighter cover.
that's exactly how I'm reading it too
We all know the WSJ is 100% pro-American and 100% militaristic but I was still surprised that there wasn't a single word about American weaknesses. Iran's strengths were all pooh-poohed. According to the article - it'll probably take weeks for the US military to "take back control of the strait". But it's possible that they Iranians could "could still get a lucky shot".
Taking back control of the strait assumed new urgency Thursday as Iran began laying plans to allow select ships through, with Tehran’s Parliament considering a law to charge tolls. It raised the prospect that Iran could leverage its position and make deals with nations that need oil, gas and other commodities produced in the Persian Gulf region.
[...]
Lowering the threat to the point where ships can resume transiting the strait is “doable but it takes time and you are probably never going to get to 100%,” Connell said. “We could reach a stage where we’re getting ships through and they could still get a lucky shot,” he added.
lol the whole piece reads like it's desperately trying to convince traders that the oil crisis is temporary and please don't let the oil price go up 🤣
still get a lucky shot
Lloyds of London says no insurance
Taking back control of the strait
did the US ever control it though? isnt that what this whole thing is about?
Maybe, but now
It raised the prospect that Iran could leverage its position And this during a WAR, those absolute fanatic maniacs!!!
Why stop when your local military contractor can drive their shiny new F150 over a mountain of our very own child soldier skulls.
They’re showing off blowing up empty boats? How many tens of thousands to destroy only a few?