A Putin supporter left a comment saying my writing is “clearly an advertisement from the manufacturer” and that “AI could do a better job.” I considered responding to the prick but opted for the indefinite ban. In case he makes his way back, убирайся из Украины, придурок.
Wes, I’m no ‘Putin supporter’ but whoever wrote that is right! It does read a bit like a (good) sales brochure! Nothing wrong with that of course - it made me read it through.
Having spent a career in software marketing I can spot another. I know bugger all about drone warfare but any software-focussed ‘USP’ makes me wonder about its vulnerabilities as well?
TBH I can understand the first part of hood statement but not the second part. Clearly this tech has incredible potential assuming it actually does a good job?
I’m just a technophile and smitten with technology, so sometimes I let my enthusiasm get the best of me. Although, as far as advertisements go, it would be nice if NAD threw some money my way 😂
That’s what I thought it was to me sounded like an advertisement. I read a lot of military journals that discuss hardware software capabilities of missiles planes tanks it sounded like an advertisement was well written
As far as Ukraine goes, it’s a shit hole. They have no value for human life.
It’s a failed state. It’s just gonna be used for illegal operations, laundering money drugs human trafficking Oregon harvesting
I’m sure you’re aware of that playbook that’s why they balkinize countries carved out a little fiefdoms completely depraved
Yeah, it’s disappointing. What constitutes a failed state today America’s not much better. Hopefully we can turn it around Russia, the United States. Hopefully another country make it trifecta for the people.
Ha ha you’d be surprised at what I know and how many Catholic education awards I received I choose to write in shorthand as that is what nurses did for decades before computers I choose to write in my phone I don’t use a computer my phone is a blanking Chinese apple phone that decides / overrides my typing and makes more grammatical and spelling errors than a male
Also a rather stupid comment of his. Use AI, of course, "centrally“ i.e. to modify the software makes sense. Thereby keeping the system/missile simple, and cheap.
Sorry my reply was cut off by an errant finger! What I meant to ask was about software vulnerability to copying/hacking. Otherwise good luck to the Swedes!
8 to 10 ? And that causality number would be what? I think your “number” is statistically impossible. The use of Ukie tells me everything I need to know about your opinion. I suggest you read “Blood Lands”, by Tim Synder as a good starting point to understanding what is being played out in Eastern Europe today. The Ukrainian people have survived centuries of Russian domination (among others) and sometimes outright genocidal attempts to destroy the Ukrainian language and culture. Are you aware of Stalin’s attempt to do this? And yet the Ukrainians have survived as a distinct ethnic people. Why? Because they do not want to be Russian! And Putin’s latest attempt to subjugate the Ukrainian people will fail too. History tells us so.
They got the Byzantine Empire war doctrine. It’s roughly 900 years which was mostly done through diplomacy. They didn’t have a huge standing army, but they had to one of the longest running empires ever.
The orthodox church is more than just a church and that’s what is worrying Estonia today
I think we’re going to discover that being a dishonest and unreliable ally could lead to our losing the support of Europe in the Pacific. Russia’s gains threaten the democratic world which we Americans still claim to be a part of. Twenty years from now the USA will still be weaker because of the actions and words of our government today.
Correct. We will be weaker based on the actions of this regime 20 years from now. Our Constitution needs to be amended to make it easier to amend. We have lots of holes this regime has used to take advantage of us.
Amending the constitution is a dangerous thing. It works for the enemy as well as the people. What we need, and what the founding fathers took for granted, is for the legislative and judicial branches to act independently and check the power of the executive. A total lack of integrity in congress and the Supreme Court have caused them to bow to a populist tyrant.
It is antiquated, and failed at the one mission it had, prevent a tyrant from taking power. It needs amending. It is a vigorous process to do so.
Yes the lege and judiciary have to step up. Part of that is eliminating citizen’s united and Congress stock trading. Another part is SC reform, because they are in on the corruption. A third is making sure if the Executive violates the Constitution there are consequences. All are lacking now.
They’re a bit more geopolitically aware than the US is under this regime. They’ve been backing us up there for decades, keeping warships there and supporting our forces in both war and peace. Of course, maybe now they’ll think there’s little value in backing us up since we’re proving to be such a dubious ally.
Lame globalist disaster sales pitch. That’s great! I thought I was just concerned for my country in the face of threats from white nationalists, fake Christians and Russian assets. And I’m a war pig also? I might get that printed on a t shirt.
They owe us zero in NATO debt because NATO contributions are not payments to another country. These are investments member countries make in their own militaries. It’s a reasonable argument to make that many of these members have not invested sufficiently in their military for the last few decades or more. However, that’s not money that they owe the US in any way.
I’m just stating the fact that there is no vehicle for indebtedness involved here. We can say they’ve been cheapskates, that they’ve unfairly taken advantage of us, etc. What we can’t do is demand repayment of a debt. They owe us nothing no matter how mad that might make us.
As policy, the US has pushed its own military into allied countries in order to (a) reduce their need for military forces, thereby (b) funneling money into our own military-industrial complex, and (c) enabling Washington to have a strong say in how and when EU countries commit to military action.
They owe the US nothing. Even if they were simply coasting, that does not constitute any sort of debt. NATO agreement simply posits a certain % of GDP be spent on defense. There is no legal framework for any form of action if they don't. But they weren't coasting, this was leaning on the US as planned by us.
As a result of recent events, it is clear that while unpleasant, the EU - whose economy is far stronger than the US' at present - will have very few issues picking up the slack. Additionally, the US will have zero say in how the EU engages in military action.
Absolutely we have the capacity to build this, and others, we've done so in the past and can do it again.
BUT, the procurement process is dire, practically moribund, we need to support entities that can take chances and get things done quickly. We need to be on a wartime footing with this.
OTOH, we also have to ensure that we're all pulling in the same direction and not profiteering. The UK lost tens, perhaps hundreds of billions to insider profiteering from Conservative ministers, peers and contacts in "emergency PPE supply contracts".
Great analysis and writeup, and terrific news. . . Looks like the price of aggression just went up. This flood of innovation is inspiring and reminds me of my early technology studies, perusing "Spy vs Spy"
Looks good but the proof is in the field. That’s what the Russians excel at, send a few items out quickly to the combat zone. Reengineer it as needed. The Swedes are excellent engineers so l am hopeful that this is not just the usual vaporware.
Well, to be honest, your article, while informative, did read a bit like a promo from the company website. It was 100% positive without mentioning a single drawback, challenge, or counter argument. I didn’t mind that because it’s a given in most cases that the writer is selling one side of a story. That said, the system looks really cool, the platform innovative and effective. I’ll be sending it to a friend who has 35 years of experience in weapon systems to see what he thinks. Also, this type of innovation producing effective inexpensive defense systems is just what Western Europe should be doing. Perhaps JD Vance’s comments have had the desired effect after all.
I get uncomfortable when too much information is provided about weapons systems.
Presumably the.manufacturer only releases details that the Russians already know, but still it bothers me that a clear explanation is helpful to the enemy.
You are doing great work. Hopefully my concerns are unwarranted.
This weapon is meant to defend, not deter. Russia will send drone waves regardless of the success rate of defenses. Giving an explanation of how it operates gives the enemy clues as to how to lower effectiveness.
the weapon system under discussion is an anti-drone, ant-missile weapon. It has no ability to threaten missile or drone launch sites. It can not deter attacks, only attempt to reduce their effectiveness.
You may think weapons systems such as this one, or say Patriot anti missile batteries, are idiotic. You may think explaining these systems to the enemy will deter them. You may not be the brightest bulb on the tree.
Sadly though, Ukraine gave up its nukes in return for Russian promises that turned out to be, yet again, worthless. One icbm and Russia wouldn't have touched Ukraine.
Drones were an exciting concept once when the conversation was around delivery, healthcare, and first respondents. Now it more about war scenarios and building them as killing machines.
Two things missing from the conversation here in the comments.
First, the notion that Substack articles are ever going to bring you cutting edge, top secret, espionage level intel before someone who actually has the knowledge, expertise and design /manufacturing capacity to do something with it already has it is plain foolish. A quick search finds not only the manufacturer's website with press releases, but month-old articles on trade magazine sites contains more details than Wes has supplied here.
Second, why have we failed to recognize that all this capability is stuffed into a respectably sized dildo? Watch the 1995 movie "Screamers" which was supposed to be a far-future horrifier, but seems on track to be here before Santa comes round again. Note, the mfg markets to civilian applications as well, meaning parents of ungrateful kids can order one and say "Santa isn't allowed near our house anymore!" The implication being that, a one time investment in a Krueger 100 system will pay for itself in 5 to 6 Christmases!
A Putin supporter left a comment saying my writing is “clearly an advertisement from the manufacturer” and that “AI could do a better job.” I considered responding to the prick but opted for the indefinite ban. In case he makes his way back, убирайся из Украины, придурок.
Wes, I’m no ‘Putin supporter’ but whoever wrote that is right! It does read a bit like a (good) sales brochure! Nothing wrong with that of course - it made me read it through.
Having spent a career in software marketing I can spot another. I know bugger all about drone warfare but any software-focussed ‘USP’ makes me wonder about its vulnerabilities as well?
TBH I can understand the first part of hood statement but not the second part. Clearly this tech has incredible potential assuming it actually does a good job?
I’m just a technophile and smitten with technology, so sometimes I let my enthusiasm get the best of me. Although, as far as advertisements go, it would be nice if NAD threw some money my way 😂
Keep it up Wes. The enthusiasm is infectious 🤓
If a troll is angry sang and old Swedish song...
And a cuestion, what are the size of this marvel? And what warhead have?
Thanks for your work ,and this very interesting article for free!
What a dummy! AI clearly did the original job.
That’s what I thought it was to me sounded like an advertisement. I read a lot of military journals that discuss hardware software capabilities of missiles planes tanks it sounded like an advertisement was well written
As far as Ukraine goes, it’s a shit hole. They have no value for human life.
It’s a failed state. It’s just gonna be used for illegal operations, laundering money drugs human trafficking Oregon harvesting
I’m sure you’re aware of that playbook that’s why they balkinize countries carved out a little fiefdoms completely depraved
Your definition of a failed state sounds just like Russia today.
Well, the fifth largest economy in the world is Russia
Self-sufficient in a lot of ways,
You gotta stop diluting yourself
You are the ‘diluted ‘ one. We have single States with higher economies than Russia.
Yeah, it’s disappointing. What constitutes a failed state today America’s not much better. Hopefully we can turn it around Russia, the United States. Hopefully another country make it trifecta for the people.
Ha ha you’d be surprised at what I know and how many Catholic education awards I received I choose to write in shorthand as that is what nurses did for decades before computers I choose to write in my phone I don’t use a computer my phone is a blanking Chinese apple phone that decides / overrides my typing and makes more grammatical and spelling errors than a male
Also a rather stupid comment of his. Use AI, of course, "centrally“ i.e. to modify the software makes sense. Thereby keeping the system/missile simple, and cheap.
Sorry my reply was cut off by an errant finger! What I meant to ask was about software vulnerability to copying/hacking. Otherwise good luck to the Swedes!
Is Ukraine using these?
Oh, really? How do you explain Putin’s meat grinder then?
Three hundred years of Russian military history and doctrine? Which means practice of a mind set :
Some times you eat the Bear, but most times the Bear eats YOU! (8-10 Ukie casualties for every Russian.)
8 to 10 ? And that causality number would be what? I think your “number” is statistically impossible. The use of Ukie tells me everything I need to know about your opinion. I suggest you read “Blood Lands”, by Tim Synder as a good starting point to understanding what is being played out in Eastern Europe today. The Ukrainian people have survived centuries of Russian domination (among others) and sometimes outright genocidal attempts to destroy the Ukrainian language and culture. Are you aware of Stalin’s attempt to do this? And yet the Ukrainians have survived as a distinct ethnic people. Why? Because they do not want to be Russian! And Putin’s latest attempt to subjugate the Ukrainian people will fail too. History tells us so.
Ps Ukrainians do not speak a bad kind of Russian.
They got the Byzantine Empire war doctrine. It’s roughly 900 years which was mostly done through diplomacy. They didn’t have a huge standing army, but they had to one of the longest running empires ever.
The orthodox church is more than just a church and that’s what is worrying Estonia today
Wow! And you get these statistics from where? You sound like a mouthpiece for Putin or maybe just delusional.
The US is unreliable in trade and defense. Glad to see Europe marching ahead.
I think we’re going to discover that being a dishonest and unreliable ally could lead to our losing the support of Europe in the Pacific. Russia’s gains threaten the democratic world which we Americans still claim to be a part of. Twenty years from now the USA will still be weaker because of the actions and words of our government today.
Correct. We will be weaker based on the actions of this regime 20 years from now. Our Constitution needs to be amended to make it easier to amend. We have lots of holes this regime has used to take advantage of us.
Amending the constitution is a dangerous thing. It works for the enemy as well as the people. What we need, and what the founding fathers took for granted, is for the legislative and judicial branches to act independently and check the power of the executive. A total lack of integrity in congress and the Supreme Court have caused them to bow to a populist tyrant.
It is antiquated, and failed at the one mission it had, prevent a tyrant from taking power. It needs amending. It is a vigorous process to do so.
Yes the lege and judiciary have to step up. Part of that is eliminating citizen’s united and Congress stock trading. Another part is SC reform, because they are in on the corruption. A third is making sure if the Executive violates the Constitution there are consequences. All are lacking now.
What we need are smarter voters.
And commenters
They’re a bit more geopolitically aware than the US is under this regime. They’ve been backing us up there for decades, keeping warships there and supporting our forces in both war and peace. Of course, maybe now they’ll think there’s little value in backing us up since we’re proving to be such a dubious ally.
Lame globalist disaster sales pitch. That’s great! I thought I was just concerned for my country in the face of threats from white nationalists, fake Christians and Russian assets. And I’m a war pig also? I might get that printed on a t shirt.
Coming from that nutter, it's a badge of honour.
They owe us zero in NATO debt because NATO contributions are not payments to another country. These are investments member countries make in their own militaries. It’s a reasonable argument to make that many of these members have not invested sufficiently in their military for the last few decades or more. However, that’s not money that they owe the US in any way.
I’m just stating the fact that there is no vehicle for indebtedness involved here. We can say they’ve been cheapskates, that they’ve unfairly taken advantage of us, etc. What we can’t do is demand repayment of a debt. They owe us nothing no matter how mad that might make us.
No, he's correct.
As policy, the US has pushed its own military into allied countries in order to (a) reduce their need for military forces, thereby (b) funneling money into our own military-industrial complex, and (c) enabling Washington to have a strong say in how and when EU countries commit to military action.
They owe the US nothing. Even if they were simply coasting, that does not constitute any sort of debt. NATO agreement simply posits a certain % of GDP be spent on defense. There is no legal framework for any form of action if they don't. But they weren't coasting, this was leaning on the US as planned by us.
As a result of recent events, it is clear that while unpleasant, the EU - whose economy is far stronger than the US' at present - will have very few issues picking up the slack. Additionally, the US will have zero say in how the EU engages in military action.
Canada needs to start building and deploying these asap!
That was my first thought: can we build stuff like this in Canada?
A buy/build contract with a NATO ally should be possible.
Absolutely we have the capacity to build this, and others, we've done so in the past and can do it again.
BUT, the procurement process is dire, practically moribund, we need to support entities that can take chances and get things done quickly. We need to be on a wartime footing with this.
OTOH, we also have to ensure that we're all pulling in the same direction and not profiteering. The UK lost tens, perhaps hundreds of billions to insider profiteering from Conservative ministers, peers and contacts in "emergency PPE supply contracts".
Glad someone else recalls that! If you meet Keir, could you remind him?
National defence of course, and to contribute to Europe’s defence.
I see you are a troll. Goodbye.
Great analysis and writeup, and terrific news. . . Looks like the price of aggression just went up. This flood of innovation is inspiring and reminds me of my early technology studies, perusing "Spy vs Spy"
Ah yes. High school and Mad Magazine. Even in New Zealand!
Sorry that experience of the US was less mad than today. . . Cheers to NZ
Actually I have ended up living in North Carolina. NZ has gone at least as sideways as LA or NY since I left.
Fascinating, and you write in a very engaging style.
Looks good but the proof is in the field. That’s what the Russians excel at, send a few items out quickly to the combat zone. Reengineer it as needed. The Swedes are excellent engineers so l am hopeful that this is not just the usual vaporware.
if america is abandoning europe we need more startups such as this
Interesting. I'd like to see it in action.
Mmh, odd name. Ivar Kreuger was a bit of a flacky one. Hopefully this one isn’t
Well, to be honest, your article, while informative, did read a bit like a promo from the company website. It was 100% positive without mentioning a single drawback, challenge, or counter argument. I didn’t mind that because it’s a given in most cases that the writer is selling one side of a story. That said, the system looks really cool, the platform innovative and effective. I’ll be sending it to a friend who has 35 years of experience in weapon systems to see what he thinks. Also, this type of innovation producing effective inexpensive defense systems is just what Western Europe should be doing. Perhaps JD Vance’s comments have had the desired effect after all.
I was not aware that Ukraine had A-1 Abrams tanks?
That's a great innovation. Fascinating. The decentralisation of defence is surely the way to go.
I get uncomfortable when too much information is provided about weapons systems.
Presumably the.manufacturer only releases details that the Russians already know, but still it bothers me that a clear explanation is helpful to the enemy.
You are doing great work. Hopefully my concerns are unwarranted.
This would be of great concern to me too!
The flip side is that this won't deter an enemy that doesn't know its capabilities.
This weapon is meant to defend, not deter. Russia will send drone waves regardless of the success rate of defenses. Giving an explanation of how it operates gives the enemy clues as to how to lower effectiveness.
That is idiotic. The best defense is to deter the enemy from attacking, period.
the weapon system under discussion is an anti-drone, ant-missile weapon. It has no ability to threaten missile or drone launch sites. It can not deter attacks, only attempt to reduce their effectiveness.
You may think weapons systems such as this one, or say Patriot anti missile batteries, are idiotic. You may think explaining these systems to the enemy will deter them. You may not be the brightest bulb on the tree.
Sadly though, Ukraine gave up its nukes in return for Russian promises that turned out to be, yet again, worthless. One icbm and Russia wouldn't have touched Ukraine.
Secret Service should have this.
Drones were an exciting concept once when the conversation was around delivery, healthcare, and first respondents. Now it more about war scenarios and building them as killing machines.
Two things missing from the conversation here in the comments.
First, the notion that Substack articles are ever going to bring you cutting edge, top secret, espionage level intel before someone who actually has the knowledge, expertise and design /manufacturing capacity to do something with it already has it is plain foolish. A quick search finds not only the manufacturer's website with press releases, but month-old articles on trade magazine sites contains more details than Wes has supplied here.
Second, why have we failed to recognize that all this capability is stuffed into a respectably sized dildo? Watch the 1995 movie "Screamers" which was supposed to be a far-future horrifier, but seems on track to be here before Santa comes round again. Note, the mfg markets to civilian applications as well, meaning parents of ungrateful kids can order one and say "Santa isn't allowed near our house anymore!" The implication being that, a one time investment in a Krueger 100 system will pay for itself in 5 to 6 Christmases!
Design flexibility is key!