UVISION: Hercules Aircraft as Loitering Munition Launchers
A new video showcases the innovative launch configuration of loitering munitions from C-130 Hercules aircraft, to turn transport planes into dual-purpose platforms for tactical strike and surprise gaining momentum
A video on X shared by Think Defence reveals an illustration of a launch configuration for loitering munitions from UVISION mounted on a Hercules (C-130) aircraft.
Using seemingly benign dual-purpose platforms for surprise attacks is not new. An enemy seeing a transport plane might assume it's on a benign mission without kinetic strike capabilities.
In the tactical realm, employing dual-purpose capabilities to surprise the enemy isn't new. However, the context of UVISION's loitering munitions presents a novelty.
The video shows the aircraft’s cargo door opening mid-flight, with a multi-barrel launcher for UVISION’s munitions attached to it. The illustration features a US military plane, but other countries, including Israel, also operate this type of aircraft.
UVISION’s video complements a previous announcement by Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI), showcasing munitions adapted for mission aircraft. This likely involves the procurement of new mission aircraft by Britain, one of the target customers.
In a June announcement, IAI reported a new cruise missile named WIND DEMON. The original press release stated that the munition was suitable for launch from platforms such as helicopters or mission aircraft. Later, only helicopters were mentioned on the company's website. The missile is defined as air-to-ground, meaning it's designed to hit ground targets.
In summary, it appears that militaries worldwide want to transform transport aircraft into dual-purpose platforms that can perform traditional transport duties while also providing ground support for manoeuvring forces.
The idea is intriguing, but the question remains how mission aircraft would fare in a combat environment like Ukraine, assuming this model represents a potential full-intensity conflict in Taiwan or the Middle East.
THIS PAGE WAS POSTED BY SPUTNIK ONE OF THE SPUTNIKS ORBIT BLOG
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