This is also a counter to fighter-bombers and glidebombs once you knock out radars and air defense, though that may be a more one way use.
This is an echo of aircraft like the O-1 Bird Dog.
This is also a counter to fighter-bombers and glidebombs once you knock out radars and air defense, though that may be a more one way use.
This is an echo of aircraft like the O-1 Bird Dog.
This is why Ukraine taking out radars, AA, AWACS aircraft, jammers and other sensors is so important, SEAD works because it lets you drop the price per strike package as enemy air defense capability falls through the floor. Note the opposite is happening with Ukraine’s Air Defense, they are forcing russia to equip shaheds with jet engines to be effective.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Suppression_of_enemy_air_defenses
SEAD for these relatively large fragile slow moving planes is pretty difficult. The U.S lost over 400 in similar role to ground fire in Vietnam. Mostly downed by direct fire 0.50cal machine guns or small arms from what I can find.
That being said:
These are a very cheap answer to long range highly mobile heavy artillery or front-line dug in positions with very low risk to Ukraines operators.