Hi Dino,Agree existing weapons are a far better means of...

Hi Dino,

Agree existing weapons are a far better means of engaging tanks, but I was not really referring to armour.

I also agree you 'need the right weapon for the right job' and using that same logic, a Hellfire, for instance, is not really appropriate for striking against troops in the open, soft-skinned targets or targets in close proximity to non-combatants (think urban warfare).

I feel the MST niche from the air is in support of ground operations where the use of highly advanced guided weaponry cannot be justified against low value targets (an individual soldier for instance), or if the potential for collateral damage is high.

Consider how an airborne 3GL-type device could satisfy these low-end engagements with more finesse and for lower cost than the high-end Hellfire missile. What's more is that an outfitted UAV could carry far more MST ammunition than it could Hellfires meaning it could engage more targets.

The same is true for maritime operations against small scale smuggling craft.

These are just my thoughts.

Dave