They were asking for owners of civilian drones (DJIs) to step up in the defense of Kyiv
abrandt
3711
The same way they are differentiating between Turkish controlled Bayraktars and Ukrainian controlled Bayraktars?
From the link
“It is a soft-launch system, allowing it to be used by infantry from within an enclosed space. In this system, the missile is first launched out of the launcher using a low powered ignition”
That’s a very smart idea, if you are in good cover you don’t want have to leave to go after the AFV, and will be super valuable in urban combat…
“* 
Ukraine: At least 2,000 NLAW units are known to be supplied to Ukraine by the United Kingdom by January 19th 2022 and more shipments, including by other supporters, can be assumed amid the Russian invasion of Ukraine.[15][16]”
Even if only 10% hitting that’s a lot of dead Russian AFVs.
Molotovs being used for their original intent again…
This is looking like a clusterfuck they are going to win just by throwing stuff at it:
Agree on that as well. The big disadvantage of the wire-guided systems (TOW and Dragon) was the missile launch could be seen from outer space, and the enemy were trained to engage the launch source to interrupt the guidance over the long flight of the missile. 10-16 seconds is a long time to take tank fire while you’re trying to keep the missile on target.
There are some interesting videos on youtube demonstrating the NLAWs, though they are company promo type videos. Pretty wild that they “soft launch” (they leave the housing under low power) for a few meters, then the engine lights up and they take off, so you can launch them from enclosed spaces.
@John_Many_Jars would like them because they provide “complete penetration”.
One of my favorite Military Sci Fi authors (and a veteran himself) with a take on all this I proves to be prescient:
Dejin
3717
Here’s a webpage with a lot more information on the NLAWs than the Wikipedia entry I originally linked to. Among other things:
- Unlike Javelin or TOW, NLAW is single-use. I don’t see any mention of any of it being reusable unlike the Dragon.
- Direct attack or overfly top attack modes available.
- £20,000 per unit – 30% the cost of a Javelin.
Dejin
3718
That definitely seems like it would be an important feature when used in Kyiv or other cities.
Awesome response in that tweet thread:
TOW isn’t really ‘reusable’, it’s more that you carry around a ton of reusable equipment PLUS the missile tube itself. It is like carrying that MLAW plus carrying another 70 pounds of stuff. And carrying another MLAW if you want that stuff to be useful again.
And with the Dragon, the ‘reusable’ part is similar — it’s the detachable optical sight / guidance set, which you have to carry around and can only ‘reuse’ if you carry another missile which is larger and heavier than the MLAW.
Dejin
3721
They all definitely look really bulky and very hard to carry around, particularly if you’re trying to run, crouch, or otherwise maneuver about.
Yeah, but can you rocket jump with them?
This is a TOW (my original trained weapon specialty):
The reusable part is that tripod, that heavy metal yoke cradle for the missile, that heavy metal cased guidance set plus battery, that attached giant optical sight, and that tube extension on the front of the weapon. The disposable part is the missile tube itself, the thing inserted into the launcher. It’s a 4-man system to carry and employ, and that 4-man team would need a vehicle to carry more than one actual missile with all that other stuff.
Dejin
3726
Thanks @scottagibson. I appreciate your insight and experience on this.
