(Image Source: The Telegraph)
BY CHRISTINE SLUSSER
The Russians have blown-up weapons of mass inflation...
ABC reports the life-size weapons are only $10,000 to make, compared to the millions it costs to make real war weapons.
“This is the fearsome Russian military might we’re used to seeing. This isn’t. A dark green bundle stretched out, pump attached, then fired up. In minutes, there stands one of Russia’s most famous weapons- the S300 anti-aircraft missile launcher. ”
No, you’re not seeing a Russian bouncy castle, but rather, an advanced military weapon that can fool thermal imaging sensors into thinking the weapons are the real, airtight deal.
BBC reports the Russian military likes to have its weapons options as open as the air surrounding them.
“It’s not just tanks, there are inflatable missile launchers too like this S300 battery...and inflatable fighter jets, inflatable radar stations...you name it - they’ll pump air into it...and it’s all made of a special material that’ll trick the enemy radar into thinking that these are the real things.”
The saying goes that time is money... the Russians now say that air is money.
Fox News reports these blowup ballistic weapons are stitched at a former hot air balloon factory.
“The company, which makes the backlight and guidance vehicle...says the life-size air models can be used to create entire fake military bases and positions of forces [and] ...they keep looking believable -- even when partly damaged by gunshots and explosions.”
...and Wired UK says by the time the enemy launched weapons to attack the fake machines, they would be out money - and Russia could then pull out their real, non-inflatable battle gear.
“Despite their slightly ridiculous nature, the stand-in inflatables are important tools in Russia’s arsenal, and are quite advanced military decoys.”
So what do you think of Russia’s deflatable defense? Shrewd or crude?
