How 'bout a 🧵on the artillery sent to Ukraine, as the narrative is bouncing between "this is pretty good," to "it's still not enough," to "NATO/US needs to do more!"
The devil is in the details.
(As a former tanker I'm not an expert on arty, but I've used it in combat) 1/10
1st, the towed artillery.
There are 2 types. I don't know how many of each are being sent but here are some details.
The older models are the "M198" (cannon-cockers say "M-one-niner-eight"). Produced in 1969, it's a good cannon.
Range 14-30 km, depending on the round. 2/
The new models are the M777 ("M-triple 7" in cannon-cocker speak).
A great system.
Half the weight of the M198, due to titanium construction. Uses a digital fire-control system that provides navigation, pointing & self-location.
Fires 14-40 km, depending on round. 3/
Both CAN fire rocket-assisted projectiles (RAP) to extend range & each CAN also fire precision munitions (that is, a round that will hit a designated target rather than just area explosions)
But the M777 fires the Excaliber GPS-guided munition out to 40 km. That's a big deal. 4/
The number of total cannons in the combined package equates to about 5 US battalions worth of artillery, and the 144+K rounds/projectiles is an awful lot.
Given the precision, and range, of these systems, IMO they will outgun the RUs in any artillery duel. 5/
While self-propelled (those on tracks) artillery can "shoot & scoot" faster after firing their rounds, the digital towed systems allow it to be emplaced as fast & move out almost as quickly as the tracked artillery.
And, the Russians ain't that well-trained in counter-fire. 6/
That brings us to...the radars.
Part of the package also included "artillery finding" radars (it's called the Q36).
Those radars "find" an enemy when they fire a round.
Digital systems then help transfer the location to the US guns to fire back. VERY quickly. "Counterfire." 7/
The package also includes many "small unmanned aerial systems (UAS)," or drones.
Those provide intel on locations, calculate grids & can pass location to a gun firing Excaliber BEFORE the RU even shoot.
For the tactical fight, small drones are MUCH better than Predators. 8/
I won't get into the Switchblade or "Ghost drones" recently developed (mostly for US special operators), but along with the Turkish Bayraktar TB2 all will be effective in both killing RU armored vehicles & increasing RU troops feeling of helplessness on the battlefield. 9/
UA has been effective in establishing kill zones & counterattacking thus far, & they're doing the same in the East.
Key to this phase of the fight for UK: Keep logistics trail light, incorporate simple & new equipment, counter RU arty, move fast , use quick reaction forces.10/10
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