[Fred Mertz]

Also, UAVs are fairly difficult to knock out unless you have a very dedicated effort. I'm not certain, but I believe the best weapon system against a UAV is an attack helicopter.

[phasma proeliator]

This seems to me to be good reason to carry a 12 gauge 24x7

[Spook86]

During my "spook" days, I did the first comprehensive anti-UAV analysis for the European Tactics and Analysis Team (ETAT), a joint-service working group that analyzes threat systems and employment tactics in that geographic region. My analysis focused on Serbian tactics against Allied UAVs over Kosovo in 1999. The report remains classified, but here are a few, generalized highights:

First, UAVs can be knocked down fairly easily with a concerted effort--and the right weapons. As I recall, NATO lost 16 UAVs in Kosovo, including U.S. Predators and a high-speed Franco-German model (CL-228?). Most of the losses occured in an area where UAVs operated frequently. The weapons of choice were anti-aircraft guns (23/60 mm, along with heavy machineguns), or man-portable SAMs. One area in southern Kosovo was nicknamed "the triangle of death" because so many losses occured in that area.

Secondly, the Serbs understood the importance of UAVs before the war began, and made a concerted effort to engage them. They even staged an air defense exercise to refine their anti-UAV tactics. However, despite these losses, the UAVs still "got through" and accomplished their mission.

I'm not sure how much credence I put in these Iraqi UAV reports, but clearly some bigwigs are worried. My biggest concern is that our air traffic control/air defense system is simply not geared for slow-moving, low-flying targets. A UAV with a Predator signature won't even register on radar at low altitude, because of its low RCS, its slow speed, and ground clutter. Additionally, we have virtually nothing to engage them with, aside from a few Stingers and Avengers now deployed in the D.C. area.

[sit-rep]

True, I'd say. Problem all around, is the back ground. There would be a whole lotta lead hitting the ground beyond the target. I do not think a rocket would have enough to lock onto, so a gatling(sp?) gun would be the way.

SR

[Steel and Fire and Stone]

but I believe the best weapon system against a UAV is an attack helicopter.

.. or, secure borders. What a novel idea, huh?

[JustPiper]

So Fred do we now need to start manufacturing SAM's here?

[Poohbah]

Also, UAVs are fairly difficult to knock out unless you have a very dedicated effort. I'm not certain, but I believe the best weapon system against a UAV is an attack helicopter.

Partly true. You need a concerted air defense effort like the one we had immediately after 9/11.

However, in an era of look-down-shoot-down radar, the best UAV platform is probably an F-14 carrying AIM-54 Phoenix missiles; next best is any 'teen series fighter (F-14, F-15, F-16, F-18) loaded with AMRAAMs.

In an air defense emergency, the rule of thumb would be quite simple: if it flies, yet does not obey orders to land IMMEDIATELY, it dies.

Attack helicopters cannot cover the distances involved very rapidly, and they don't carry longer-ranged radar-guided weapons.