Fire Missiom Fire in the hole Fire

[727Sky]

Russians Challenge U.S. Paladin Artillery - Big Mistake, The M109 Paladin in Ukraine's defensive operations near Toretsk on May 10, 2025. This engagement showcases how Western-supplied self-propelled artillery has fundamentally altered the battlefield calculus against Russian armored advances. Through the integration of Phoenix reconnaissance drones, advanced fire control systems, and precision ammunition, we break down exactly how a single Paladin halted a company-strength Russian breakthrough. We'll explore the technical systems that enabled rapid target acquisition, precision engagement at danger-close ranges, and how tactical mobility became the key to survival in modern artillery duels - demonstrating how technology and training turned a numerical disadvantage into a decisive Ukrainian victory.

For some reason I am reminded of WW1 where the airplane was sold and accepted as an aerial surveillance platform and artillery spotter. Only later came the guns trying to shoot each other down and strafe .... Now with drones and A.I. you get pretty much everything a war fighter could ask for.

[F2d5thCav]

Ukraine needs more artillery.  A LOT more.  And their industry needs to get off its backside and start producing 155mm rounds in much larger numbers.  They're outgunned and tech solutions don't help much.

[Bally002]

Ukraine needs more artillery.  A LOT more.  And their industry needs to get off its backside and start producing 155mm rounds in much larger numbers.  They're outgunned and tech solutions don't help much.

Methinks they need a new leader too.

Bally

[FCD]

Ukraine needs more artillery.  A LOT more.  And their industry needs to get off its backside and start producing 155mm rounds in much larger numbers.  They're outgunned and tech solutions don't help much.

Agreed.  Ukraine isn't some 3rd World Country, but they behave like they are sometimes.  It's not like they don't have any heavy industry to manufacture their own weapons.

[F2d5thCav]

Ukraine needs more artillery.  A LOT more.  And their industry needs to get off its backside and start producing 155mm rounds in much larger numbers.  They're outgunned and tech solutions don't help much.

Agreed.  Ukraine isn't some 3rd World Country, but they behave like they are sometimes.  It's not like they don't have any heavy industry to manufacture their own weapons.

They have an oligarch problem and it drives feudal solutions in what could be a booming economy.  Doesn't help that they allowed so many "fortunate sons" to leave the country when they should have served in the armed forces.  Not to mention their foreign policy has made unfortunate errors.

Some of it I chalk up to not being experienced as a sovereign power, but some of it is pure corruption and block-headedness.

All of what I said applies to Putin's Paradise as well, but Russia has a lot more play in its economy to absorb stupid and unproductive activity.

[FCD]

After watching this video I had to chuckle a bit.  NONE of these rounds hit their target on the first shot.  They all take range, left, right, and other adjustments to zero in on their target.  This video portrays things like they strike with deadly accuracy on the first round.  This isn't the case.  The first shot is a blank sheet of paper, and from there they zero in.

Yes, armor is still a formidable force, but less so today with things which can move quickly.  A fire base doesn't (can't) move quickly, but a few armored vehicles can.

I dunno, a lot of this stuff is propaganda.

The real threat, if people ever want to wake up and acknowledge it, is autonomous vehicles like drones.  They can strike over long distances, out of the blue, with little to no warning, and do tremendous amounts of damage in a very short time window.  And then they're gone (destroyed, or whatever).  They're cheap (in comparison), and freaking "kids" can fly the things!

Western militaries solution to the drone problem is to develop 50,000 lb (exaggeration), $5 -$10m drone systems to defend against a 10 lb. and $450 dollar threat.  It won't work!  Not today, not tomorrow...not ever!

edit - But then again, I guess General Dynamics, TRW and L3 have enough generals, congress and senate persons in their pocket to prevent Hasbro from taking over the Defense Sector!