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Pendrake That Guy from "Sweet Something of.... Someplace!" (Canada) Since: Jan, 2017 Relationship Status: Betrayed by Delilah
That Guy
#64126: May 15th 2022 at 7:06:48 AM

Not that odd. James Vasquez also rolled his ankle a week or so back. It's not like accidents like sprains and such don't happen just because you're in a war. And rolling your ankle because you just jumped off an embankment to avoid being shot or blown up is kinda preferable.

Semper Fi. Semper Paratus. Vigilo Confido.
Ominae Since: Jul, 2010
#64127: May 15th 2022 at 7:13:18 AM

https://mobile.twitter.com/UAWeapons/status/1524360854514319361?cxt=HHwWgoCyrd2Hz6cqAAAA

Found this video by Phoenix Television that showed a turret from a T-72B3 flying after Ukrainian troops took it out.

It was only shown last week.

archonspeaks Since: Jun, 2013
#64128: May 15th 2022 at 10:02:02 AM

[up][up] When you roll your ankle in a war zone they give you an ibuprofen and send you back out. This dude was in Lviv and either got discharged or never signed up with AFU at all, chances are slim to none he was dodging bullets. He’s been begging to get Twitter verified since day one and continues to do so, it’s clear enough where his priorities are. Please don’t amplify obvious bullshit.

In other news, it looks like Aerovironment is having some trouble getting Switchblade 600s out the door. [1]

"In support of Ukraine, the Switchblade 600 is being procured under the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative,” Defense Department spokesperson Jessica Maxwell said in a statement on May 10. “The Department has no active contract for Switchblade 600s and has only procured a small number of prototypes for research and development purposes.”

The Pentagon is “actively working to establish a contract” to procure 10 Switchblade 600 drones, Maxwell said. The delivery date of those is not known and will be set once the contract is finalized, she said.

Because the U.S. Army has not purchased a large number of Switchblade 600s, Aerovironment still basically builds each one by hand, according to Bryan Clark, a senior fellow, and director of the Center for Defense Concepts and Technology at the Hudson Institute think tank. The slow pace of production could be one reason that the drones have not been purchased by the U.S. for the Ukrainians.

Based on what we've seen of Ukranian RPA tactics, I don't think the 600 is necessarily important for them, but it wouldn't hurt to have either. They seem to be prioritizing ISR over air to ground, for example their TB-2s have had a fairly poor showing as far as kills against armor but have been heavily involved in spotting for artillery and anti armor teams. Rather than the 600 they might want to consider sending a more dedicated surveillance/reconnaissance unit, like the navalized Switchblade 300.

Edited by archonspeaks on May 15th 2022 at 10:19:54 AM

They should have sent a poet.
LeGarcon Blowout soon fellow Stalker from Skadovsk Since: Aug, 2013 Relationship Status: Gay for Big Boss
Blowout soon fellow Stalker
#64129: May 15th 2022 at 10:24:47 AM

They can't even fill an order of ten drones and then things are supposed to be disposable?

Yikes.

Oh really when?
math792d Since: Jun, 2011 Relationship Status: Drift compatible
#64130: May 15th 2022 at 10:44:37 AM

Guess they kinda missed the "industry" part of "military-industrial complex."

Still not embarrassing enough to stan billionaires or tech companies.
SeptimusHeap from Switzerland (Edited uphill both ways) Relationship Status: Mu
#64131: May 15th 2022 at 10:53:18 AM

Now see, my impression is that despite the videos of Bayraktar attacks and shells dropped from commercial drones their main function in the Ukraine war is still reconnaissance and artillery aiming & support. For example the German Vector drones that were bought by Ukrainian oligarchs.

"For a successful technology, reality must take precedence over public relations, for Nature cannot be fooled." - Richard Feynman
math792d Since: Jun, 2011 Relationship Status: Drift compatible
#64132: May 15th 2022 at 10:55:19 AM

The primary function of any kind of relatively slow-moving airborne asset like that is always going to be recon. Or, if not primary function, then at least the whole point of using something like it over a munition like a Javelin where you can't use it to do aerial surveillance prior to making it go somewhere and asplode.

Still not embarrassing enough to stan billionaires or tech companies.
TuefelHundenIV Night Clerk of the Apocalypse from Doomsday Facility Corner Store. Since: Aug, 2009 Relationship Status: I'd need a PowerPoint presentation
Night Clerk of the Apocalypse
#64133: May 15th 2022 at 11:54:53 AM

From the sounds of it, they are not using ramped-up mass production yet and are hand-building their drones. They no need until recently to start larger scale production.

Who watches the watchmen?
LeGarcon Blowout soon fellow Stalker from Skadovsk Since: Aug, 2013 Relationship Status: Gay for Big Boss
Blowout soon fellow Stalker
#64134: May 15th 2022 at 12:01:16 PM

Look I'm not an expert in the field but I don't think "artisanal handcrafted suicide drones" is really a sustainable business model.

Oh really when?
SeptimusHeap from Switzerland (Edited uphill both ways) Relationship Status: Mu
#64135: May 15th 2022 at 12:03:52 PM

What he said. Unless your suicide drone can sink an entire carrier group, it better be an automated assembly line product.

"For a successful technology, reality must take precedence over public relations, for Nature cannot be fooled." - Richard Feynman
NativeJovian Jupiterian Local from Orlando, FL Since: Mar, 2014 Relationship Status: Maxing my social links
Jupiterian Local
#64136: May 15th 2022 at 12:38:14 PM

You hand-build new tech first to make sure it functions as required, and then you develop an assembly line to mass produce them. "We can't churn these out by the thousands yet" doesn't mean the design is unworkable, it just means the product isn't fully developed yet.

The question then is how much time and money it will take to go full mass production.

Edited by NativeJovian on May 15th 2022 at 3:38:31 PM

Really from Jupiter, but not an alien.
LeGarcon Blowout soon fellow Stalker from Skadovsk Since: Aug, 2013 Relationship Status: Gay for Big Boss
Blowout soon fellow Stalker
#64137: May 15th 2022 at 12:39:50 PM

Yes but ten is an incredibly modest number for something meant to be disposable.

Oh really when?
Pendrake That Guy from "Sweet Something of.... Someplace!" (Canada) Since: Jan, 2017 Relationship Status: Betrayed by Delilah
That Guy
#64138: May 15th 2022 at 12:58:20 PM

@archonspeaks: He didn't leave the front after getting his ankle sprained, dude. He told his wife he'd come back after Volunteering two months.

And for the record, There's about a dozen videos of him in the midst of his position being shelled. And he's mentioned well over two dozen times when people are asking for footage that he can't show it yet (or period) per orders from the AFU.

He's not heading out from Ukraine due to Injury. He promised his family he'd come home after that timeframe. And has stated he's going to be coming back, and bring other US Vets with him.

Which you'd know if you'd actually kept track of him from the start like I have.

There are pretender Legionnaires out there, that's true. But James Vasquez isn't one of them. Especially given he's also publicly connected with about 2 dozen other Legionnaires over Social Media and in person over the past two months as well, all of who are signed on with the AFU, and assisting them in various ways.

Volunteer contracts can be modified, and he's been good for Ukraine's PR and getting support for them. And likely will continue to be so when he's home in the US, which is also something Ukraine would want.

And furthermore, he's been actively contacted and recognized for his service over there by US Intelligence and sitting US Politicians who sit on Defense committees.

Edited by Pendrake on May 15th 2022 at 1:15:36 AM

Semper Fi. Semper Paratus. Vigilo Confido.
LeGarcon Blowout soon fellow Stalker from Skadovsk Since: Aug, 2013 Relationship Status: Gay for Big Boss
Blowout soon fellow Stalker
#64139: May 15th 2022 at 1:33:31 PM

The more you describe him the more it just makes him sound like a tourist to be honest.

Oh really when?
Pendrake That Guy from "Sweet Something of.... Someplace!" (Canada) Since: Jan, 2017 Relationship Status: Betrayed by Delilah
That Guy
#64140: May 15th 2022 at 1:42:55 PM

Such is keeping track of someone via Social Media. And volunteer fighters doing short tours isn't something new. Several western volunteer groups of fighters in Syria did two-three month stays there before shipping home. It's not like the Spanish Civil War nowadays.

And the sources archon cites for Foreign Legion contracts being "The duration of the entire war" are all from tabloids. I've checked thoroughly on that. They're spinning that from the Ukrainian Military saying they'd like Legionnaires to sign long-term contracts. Not that it's mandatory they do so.

Edited by Pendrake on May 15th 2022 at 1:59:15 AM

Semper Fi. Semper Paratus. Vigilo Confido.
Silasw A procrastination in of itself from A handcart to hell (4 Score & 7 Years Ago) Relationship Status: And they all lived happily ever after <3
A procrastination in of itself
#64141: May 15th 2022 at 2:01:53 PM

And furthermore, he's been actively contacted and recognized for his service over there by US Intelligence and sitting US Politicians who sit on Defense committees.

US political figures are absolutely susceptible to getting conned by a fast-talker who is good at Twitter. With the US Intelligence community I’d certainly expect them to know their stuff, but I’m also really curious as to how you know/why you think you know who the US Intelligence community is contacting on the ground in Ukraine. I feel like they’d be keeping such information rather secure.

“And the Bunny nails it!” ~ Gabrael “If the UN can get through a day without everyone strangling everyone else so can we.” ~ Cyran
archonspeaks Since: Jun, 2013
#64142: May 15th 2022 at 2:15:48 PM

Just for the record, in the Ukraine thread I linked to the legal code of Ukraine which states that the minimum service length for foriegn volunteers is 2-3 years, with a 2 month probation period. I’ll go back and link it here for the curious. It is not from a tabloid but from the official state website of Ukraine. The “indefinite contract” thing also comes from official sources. Ukraine has had foreign fighters in its military since 2014 and has repeatedly clarified that they require all fighters to sign service contracts in compliance with the LOAC. Additionally, this individual has stated on his social media that he did not sign an AFU contract. There are videos of him in trenches, but none show any combat occurring, and they exclusively show him in locations in and around Lviv.

It would not be unfair to call him a liar, considering he has repeatedly solicited cash donations and used his profile to promote products. Charitably speaking, he at least went as far as to travel to Ukraine, unlike many others. Either way, he’s certainly not the kind of person we should be defending, nor should we lend much credence to his claims. The version of war he’s using to promote himself has little to do with reality.

Edited by archonspeaks on May 15th 2022 at 2:17:57 AM

They should have sent a poet.
LeGarcon Blowout soon fellow Stalker from Skadovsk Since: Aug, 2013 Relationship Status: Gay for Big Boss
Blowout soon fellow Stalker
#64143: May 15th 2022 at 2:52:12 PM

Also as an aside Pendrake, please just make a new post if you've got a rebuttal to someone and not just edit an older one.

It's a little hard to keep track that way.

Oh really when?
Pendrake That Guy from "Sweet Something of.... Someplace!" (Canada) Since: Jan, 2017 Relationship Status: Betrayed by Delilah
That Guy
#64144: May 15th 2022 at 3:20:25 PM

[up][up]Well, the other thing to remember here is Ukraine allows Foreign Nationals to enlist in its regular military as well, Not just as Legionnaires, so things can get kinda muddy there. For instance, that guy "Cossack" who was in Mariupol and got Captured was a British National who was a serving Ukrainian Marine.

Also, JV notably stopped soliciting donations once the AFU said to, because they'd actually gotten a logistics chain set up. And he mentioned Leatherman once after removing a 50. cal off a tank. And again when he did it again. That isn't really "product placement." Leatherman notably however did donate a bunch of Multi-Tools to Ukrainians troops because of it, though.

In any event, Frontline or not, he still kept the War on people's minds and kept morale up for Ukrainian Troops. He was also recently Twitter-Verified, though I have no idea how Twitter gauges that in this case.

That, and JV's also had about seven guys claim to be him to get donations. Well after he stopped asking for them, I might add.

Edited by Pendrake on May 15th 2022 at 3:29:48 AM

Semper Fi. Semper Paratus. Vigilo Confido.
archonspeaks Since: Jun, 2013
#64145: May 15th 2022 at 4:05:17 PM

[up] That individual has Ukrainian citizenship and has been serving as a regular member of Ukraine’s military since 2018. Not remotely the same situation.

There is no reason to carry water for someone who is obviously fraudulent. It is suspect that he ever solicited donations or repped a product. It is suspect that he pretended to be bound by AFU policy when by his own admission he is not an AFU member. It is suspect that he continued to push for his account to be verified and post branded content after leaving Ukraine. There is no evidence for any of this dude’s claims except his own statements, many of which would constitute major OPSEC violations if they were true. I would strongly suggest vetting these guys a little more carefully, given that so many of them seem to be playing fast and loose with the truth.

They should have sent a poet.
TuefelHundenIV Night Clerk of the Apocalypse from Doomsday Facility Corner Store. Since: Aug, 2009 Relationship Status: I'd need a PowerPoint presentation
Night Clerk of the Apocalypse
#64146: May 15th 2022 at 4:09:17 PM

On the Switchblade 600, you guys are missing a key factor. They are just now beginning manufacture and as stated the initial production is typically done by hand until they tool up a manufacturing line. Switchblade 600 is literally brand new and just entering LRIP (Low Rate Initial Production). Until they have orders sufficient to generate funding and tooling for more upscale manufacturing it's going to be low output. This is pretty much how all new military tech products work. It isn't a sign of failure or problems beyond the fact this is a brand new product.

Who watches the watchmen?
archonspeaks Since: Jun, 2013
#64147: May 15th 2022 at 4:12:32 PM

[up] I suspect they may have just jumped the gun a little bit with their announcement about sending them to Ukraine.

They should have sent a poet.
LeGarcon Blowout soon fellow Stalker from Skadovsk Since: Aug, 2013 Relationship Status: Gay for Big Boss
Blowout soon fellow Stalker
#64148: May 15th 2022 at 4:20:03 PM

I can appreciate that a smaller company can't immediately meet wartime levels of demand, hell even Raytheon has said they can't make Stingers fast enough to meet Ukrainian consumption and it'd take them years to build up infrastructure to do so.

But being unable to deliver ten models? Of something that is designed to be disposable?

Ten.

That's just damning.

Oh really when?
AngelusNox Warder of the damned from The guard of the gates of oblivion Since: Dec, 2014 Relationship Status: Married to the job
Warder of the damned
#64149: May 15th 2022 at 4:20:29 PM

At least it isn't worse than the guys who won a competition for the next British precision rifle, all while being 4 guys and a shack.

Inter arma enim silent leges
Imca (Veteran)
#64150: May 15th 2022 at 4:44:53 PM

Now to be fair garc, they have given the reason for whu they cant.

It shares key components with the javelin, guess which item is being purchased in a much higher volume and also cant meet the demand


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