“The miracle didn’t occur,” acknowledged the Russian blogger Fighterbomber on Telegram. He shared a video showcasing an encounter between the American-made F-16 AM/BM, utilized by the Ukrainian Air Pressure, and the Iranian-supplied [or Russian-made] Shahed-136 kamikaze drone. This footage was posted on September 9, although the precise date of the mid-air conflict stays unknown.
The video begins with the Ukrainian F-16 seemingly pursuing the kamikaze drone. At one prompt, the suitable aspect of the fuselage close to the cockpit lights up with a machine-gun burst. That is the M61 Vulcan rotary cannon, swiftly destroying the drone with precision pictures. Following this, the F-16 performs a “flick roll” maneuver, prone to the pilot’s satisfaction.
Such confrontations have been anticipated after it was revealed that Ukraine’s Western allies acquired U.S. authorization to export fighter jets to bolster Ukraine’s air capabilities. Contemplating that the F-16s will probably be deployed farther from the entrance strains—deeper into Ukraine—future engagements with Russian drones are anticipated to turn into extra frequent.
Apparently, the Shahed-136 made historical past as the primary unmanned plane concerned in bringing down a fighter jet, despite the fact that it didn’t instantly hit it. On October 12, 2024, a Ukrainian Air Pressure MiG-29 crashed after being struck “with or by” an Iranian drone. This occurred round 9:00 PM whereas the pilot was on a mission to intercept a gaggle of Iranian Shahed-136 drones. In accordance with Ukraine’s State Bureau of Investigation [SBI], the pilot and his MiG-29 managed to shoot down 5 kamikaze drones close to the village of Turbiv. The SBI’s investigation means that particles from a number of of the downed drones probably entered the cockpit, inflicting the crash. So, it wasn’t a direct collision with a drone that precipitated the fighter jet to crash, based mostly on present findings.
In newer developments, Ukraine reportedly misplaced its first F-16 fighter jet in fight on September 6, 2024. The incident occurred throughout a mission within the japanese area of the nation. Varied sources recommend that Russian air defenses have been accountable for taking pictures down the plane whereas it was engaged in operations in opposition to enemy positions.
Nonetheless, there are conflicting experiences relating to the incident. Some sources attribute the downing of the F-16 to both Russian or Ukrainian air defenses. In distinction, the U.S. maintains that pilot error was the trigger. The Ukrainian navy has confirmed the loss, noting that the pilot efficiently ejected and was subsequently rescued.
Nonetheless, the footage shared by the Russian useful resource Fighterbomber marks the primary recorded skirmish between the F-16 and the Iranian Shahed drone. Deploying the M61 Vulcan on this state of affairs is the best alternative now, and it probably will probably be in future engagements as effectively.
The M61 Vulcan, a 20mm rotary cannon, has seen intensive use throughout varied navy plane, together with the F-16 Preventing Falcon. One important purpose for its effectiveness in opposition to drones lies in its spectacular charge of fireside, which might attain as much as 6,000 rounds per minute.
This rapid-fire functionality permits the M61 Vulcan to unleash a considerable quantity of fireside in a quick interval, making it adept at concentrating on fast-moving, small objects like drones. The mix of its excessive fireplace charge and the projectile’s velocity ensures that rounds can swiftly shut the gap to the goal, thereby growing the probabilities of a profitable hit.
Not solely does the M61 Vulcan boast a excessive charge of fireside, however it is usually outfitted with armor-piercing and high-explosive incendiary rounds, giving it the flexibility to interact varied aerial threats. The high-explosive rounds trigger important injury on impression, whereas the armor-piercing projectiles can penetrate the protecting boundaries of some drones.
This sort of versatility is important when coping with trendy drones created from a mixture of light-weight composites and metals. Moreover, the cannon’s accuracy throughout totally different ranges enhances its effectiveness, enabling pilots to take down drones even whereas maneuvering at excessive speeds.
An equally necessary facet of the M61 Vulcan is its comparatively low recoil, which boosts accuracy throughout sustained fireplace. The design of the cannon helps to dampen recoil forces, allowing pilots to keep up management of their plane whereas partaking aerial targets.
This characteristic is particularly priceless when concentrating on agile, evasive drones which may attempt to dodge incoming fireplace. Furthermore, the M61’s seamless integration with the F-16’s avionics and concentrating on techniques permits pilots to swiftly establish and have interaction drone threats in actual time, making it an exemplary weapon for at the moment’s air fight conditions.
2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine
On February 21, 2022, Russia acknowledged that its border facility was attacked by Ukrainian forces, ensuing within the deaths of 5 Ukrainian fighters. Nonetheless, Ukraine rapidly dismissed these allegations, labeling them as ‘false flags’.
In a notable transfer on the identical day, Russia introduced it formally acknowledged the self-proclaimed areas of DPR and LPR. Apparently, in accordance with Russian President Putin, this recognition coated all of the Ukrainian areas. Following this declaration, Putin despatched a battalion of Russia’s navy forces, tanks included, into these areas.
Quick ahead to February 24, 2022, world headlines have been dominated by a important incident. Putin commanded a forceful navy assault on Ukraine. Led by Russia’s spectacular Armed Forces positioned on the Ukrainian border, this assault wasn’t spontaneous however a premeditated motion. Regardless of the circumstances resembling a battle, the Russian authorities refrains from utilizing this time period. They’d fairly seek advice from it as a “particular navy operation”.
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