SpyTalk
Ukraine Air War Heats Up
Mar 17, 2023
David Cenciotti, founding editor of The Aviationist, discusses the collision between a Russian warplane and a US MQ-9 drone. They also explore the transfer of MiG-29s to Ukraine, the future of hypersonic aircraft, and the potential conflict between Russia and NATO.
30:47
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Quick takeaways
- Turning off the transponder on the MQ-9 Reaper is standard practice for intelligence surveillance and reconnaissance aircraft, allowing them to operate discreetly.
- Transferring four MiG-29 fighter bombers from Poland to Ukraine will strengthen the Ukrainian Air Force's operations and replenish their stock of backbone assets.
Deep dives
Incident with MQ-9 Reaper drone and Russian aircraft
The podcast discusses the recent incident involving a collision between a US MQ-9 Reaper reconnaissance drone and a Russian aircraft. The speaker explains that turning off the transponder on the MQ-9 is standard practice for intelligence surveillance and reconnaissance aircraft, as it allows them to operate discreetly. Additionally, they mention a provocative mission by a B-52 bomber along Russian airspace, highlighting that it was deliberately done with the transponder on to send a message to the Russians.
