Drone warfare in Ukraine prompts fresh thinking in helicopter tactics

[rangerrebew]

Drone warfare in Ukraine prompts fresh thinking in helicopter tactics
By Elisabeth Gosselin-Malo
 Jul 19, 2024, 09:13 AM
 
 
MILAN — Air defense and drone warfare observed in Ukraine are changing the nature of military helicopter tactics, moving the platforms’ center of gravity away from the tip of the spear to an emphasis on combat-support missions along the front lines, according to officials and issue experts.

The shift is animated in large part by proliferating ground-based air defenses that make manned flight over the battlefield almost impossible.


“In 2024, helicopters at the front, due to the threat and saturation of anti-aircraft means, primarily perform fire support along the line of combat engagement, using the toss bombing tactics [unaimed strikes by unguided missiles] and have also been a means of countering unmanned systems,” said Serhii Kuzan, a former adviser to the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense.

https://www.defensenews.com/global/europe/2024/07/19/drone-warfare-in-ukraine-prompts-fresh-thinking-in-helicopter-tactics/

[Smokin Joe]

Helicopters will lose their CAS role, somewhat, and will need to be fitted with stand-off guided (GPS or otherwise) weapons to remain effective as offensive participants in the battlespace against higher tier opposing forces.
That isn't saying they cannot be used more directly, but that the risk will be considerably higher.

The thought of drone 'motherships' comes to mind also.

[Kamaji]

The Ukraine war is going to be the mother of all new military thinking for the next couple of decades.

[Smokin Joe]

The Ukraine war is going to be the mother of all new military thinking for the next couple of decades.

For the winners, anyway.