[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.

[hchutch]

I just don't buy this UAV story. Unless they had riugged some rocket motors to launch a L-39 froma merchie, I just don't see them as having the capability to do that.

OTOH, a business jet like the Gulfstream or that long-range one from Bombardier would be a nice option...