“They need bigger bombs. None of that 250 lb SDB crap. 2,000 lbs or bust.”
This was a drone strike most likely a Reaper from Porto Rico certainly has the range and loiter time.
Given there is USS Iwo Jima (LHD-7) off shore the new STOL MQ-9B kit would let the Navy launch a Reaper directly from the Two more than doubling the loiter time. Either way it’s not dropping bombs it’s launching Hellfire missiles which are the perfect size to smash a 50+ mph go fast boat. SDB and 500-2000# JDAMs are GPS guided and would not be a good choice for a 50+ mph speeding target. There is a couple of Gucci expensive seeker head versions for the SDB and JDAM but why spend half a million on a narco boat use a much cheaper Hellfire or better 70mm laser guided APKW rocket at half the cost of a Hellfire or less. The Ukrainians are using the APKW to shoot drones down so you know it has at least 10G maneuverability more than enough for fast moving surface targets.
https://www.ga-asi.com/remotely-piloted-aircraft/mq-9b-stol
[This was a drone strike most likely a Reaper from Porto Rico certainly has the range and loiter time.
Given there is USS Iwo Jima (LHD-7) off shore the new STOL MQ-9B kit would let the Navy launch a Reaper directly from the Two more than doubling the loiter time. Either way it’s not dropping bombs it’s launching Hellfire missiles which are the perfect size to smash a 50+ mph go fast boat. SDB and 500-2000# JDAMs are GPS guided and would not be a good choice for a 50+ mph speeding target. There is a couple of Gucci expensive seeker head versions for the SDB and JDAM but why spend half a million on a narco boat use a much cheaper Hellfire or better 70mm laser guided APKW rocket at half the cost of a Hellfire or less. The Ukrainians are using the APKW to shoot drones down so you know it has at least 10G maneuverability more than enough for fast moving surface targets.]