Better get some new accountants, then!
If the US didnt get a read on our cruise missile performance vs the S400, this was a waste of time and money.
I understand your meaning here, Russia did not shift to tactical, targeting and fire control radars, or select which type of missiles to use against any of the incoming missiles, but their observational capabilities were always on. The Russians chose to not use the S-400 System, they did not turn it off.
Likely, the Coalition were hoping that they would spin up and fire some S-400 assets.
The S-400 is only effective against airborne targets, and the UK aircraft were the only manned airborne targets, they took off from Grecian Southern Cyprus, launched their 8 or so Stormshadow cruise missiles, and returned to base.
The maximum S-400 anti aircraft range is about 250 miles (anti missile range, 90 miles), so the Brits were safe at 80% of S-400 range and could see them coming from far off.
Syria's older systems could knock down Stormshadows, so using rare S-400 assets would reveal more about S-400 than Russia wants to, short of protecting Russian flagged troops.
“It’s apparent Russia turned off their S400 systems”
It’s possible the S-400s were jammed. It’s also possible that the US informed Russia through backchannels that if the S-400s went into targeting mode, they’d be destroyed. Finally, SAM systems can only shoot at things they can illuminate with their radar, and cruise missiles fly very low to avoid that very thing.
I will say that the US should be developing a cheap, stealthy cruise missile using modern technology.
Money well spent and a specific message delivered - while exposing Russia for what the whiny She-Bear really is....
Well, it did turn some expensive facilities into rubble and scrap.
Which will have to be rebuilt (bad idea) or given up.
Thoughts? Other than you’re an idiot, none.
apparently you don’t live in damascus near a facility.
Seems more like an opportunity to use up missiles that were nearing expiration of their shelf life.
I missed the part about Putin saying if the allies fired more than 110 missiles, he will shoot them down. I guess firing 109 meant he got a full night’s sleep. Right?
A “show strike” according to SecDef James Mattis:
A 1.4 million each, that was a BIG SPENDING event.
I’m always intrigued by Kabuki theatre.