If the F-35 is operating within small drone range, it's probably detectable on infrared tbh. If it's a larger drone, then there's not really much of an advantage of launching it by F-35 because you'd probably be outside of radar range anyway. The F-35 is most useful when it IS accomplishing the role of CAS because it has the benefit of a pilot.
As it stands, I feel like the primary role of jets today is to maintain aerial superiority to drop heavy bombs (which are far cheaper than building an equivalent drone).
That's going to be easily within infrared detection distance, right? Sounds like it would only work against insurgents who don't have access to advanced guided munitions.
If the F-35 is operating within small drone range, it's probably detectable on infrared tbh. If it's a larger drone, then there's not really much of an advantage of launching it by F-35 because you'd probably be outside of radar range anyway. The F-35 is most useful when it IS accomplishing the role of CAS because it has the benefit of a pilot.
As it stands, I feel like the primary role of jets today is to maintain aerial superiority to drop heavy bombs (which are far cheaper than building an equivalent drone).
It would release them about a mile out. I'll see if I can find it. I sent it to a friend a while back.
That's going to be easily within infrared detection distance, right? Sounds like it would only work against insurgents who don't have access to advanced guided munitions.
The secret here is the word "drop". As in drop them on drones beyond their limit maximum height.
Even cheap consumer-grade FPV drones (e.g. from DJI) have a service ceiling of like 6km. They're just legally not allowed to fly that high lol.
Sorry Maverick you can't drop the drone because it's forbidden in the Terms of Service, over.