The war with Iran showed the Americans what problems the Ukrainians faced earlier – relatively cheap drone attacks destroy the infrastructure. The United States already tested the use of AH-64E Apache helicopters in the fight against drones as part of Operation Flyswatter last November. The pilots mainly used 30 mm cannons to destroy them, the army said.
During the exercise, it was possible to successfully destroy the target in 13 out of 14 attempts. In addition to the cannon, missiles guided by radar or laser were also used, for example modified Hellfire anti-tank missiles or modified 70 mm Hydra missiles.
“The threat of drones defined the conflict in Ukraine and we’re seeing it again now here in the Middle East region,” said US Lt. Gen. Hank Taylor, who serves in NATO. He mentioned the changing tasks, when it is necessary to protect the forces further from the front and supply routes.
Cheaper than anti-missiles
“Engaging Apaches in combat with category 3 to 5 drones (ie from 23 to 450 kg) using cost-effective munitions such as 30 mm shells or guided missiles protects our high-end, expensive ground interceptors for much more complex threats,” Brigadier General David Phillips told the DefenceOne server.
Using missiles from the Patriot system for several million dollars against cheap Shahid drones for about 50 to 80 thousand dollars, as some Arab countries did, is economically unsustainable. If, in addition, the patriots are used up in the destruction of drones, they are missing in the disposal of ballistic missiles
The advantage of helicopters is not only that they can eliminate drones with a small number of rounds, but also that they cover a large area: “Apache can move quickly to intercept incoming threats over large operational areas and effectively extend our ground-based air and missile defenses,” Phillips said.
“Additionally, the Apache is very cost-effective in this role. When our crews engage in an attack on these larger unmanned systems, they don’t necessarily need to use high-end anti-armor missiles. Using a relatively inexpensive rocket or a round of 30mm conventional ammunition to shoot down a Group 3 or 4 drone is cost-effective,” said Clair Gill, who heads the Army Air Forces’ Center for Accuracy and Performance.
He added that the army has already ordered an appropriate amount of suitable ammunition – grenades with a sensor that initiates an explosion when the XM1211 missile approaches the target. A thousand pieces will arrive already this month and another thousand in the following month. Subsequently, Northrop Grumman is to increase its production fivefold.
Even if it is a cheaper option, the question is still whether it would not be even more effective to destroy drones using fighter drones, such as the Ukrainian Sting. It costs a little over two thousand dollars. An hour of AH-64E flight will cost more than six thousand dollars.
