Since when is the Switchblade an old model? The Javelins sent to Ukraine also had no better version in US service.
That is just pure cope.
Something is pure cope. In this case you seem to be off your rocking chair and into nonsense.
The Javelin were in US Service yes but . But again older models. The Article is regarding the FMG 148 G which have a number of new features and a new CLU module that doesn’t use gas.
The ones currently in U.S. service are the E and F models. The E remodels launched in 2017 the F in 2020. The ones sent to Ukraine are from the older C and D models. Dating from the late 90s
The Contract for Switchblades you are assuming is the same model that has been exported. However the Switchblades have a number of versions differing in size, range payloads and they are getting real time feedback and improvement.
A lot of US equipment platforms were originally designed in the Cold War. And in a lot of cases those platforms are still in service or constitute the bulk of US capability.
And have received a number of major revisions and upgrades since. Save for perhaps the most basic piece of equipment major upgrades have been a consistent piece of US DOD work. This is something that people who only listen “Reformers” and Russian propaganda glaze over.
Be this the M1 or the F-16. They might not have the latest gadgets in some cases, but the US would have still been able to sell that equipment for basically full price. Just see the price of the sales of minimally upgraded M1 tanks to Taiwan,
The Taiwanese version of the Abrams tank is based off the current M1A2 Sep v2. That configuration was developed circa 2008. It’s not a Cold War iteration at all. Along with changes to the optics and fire controls the Sep series received improved armor packages. Of course the M1A2T won’t use American Depleted Uranium mesh in the armor package Tungsten carbide is the norm.
The Units donated to Ukraine are of the M1A1 SA-U configuration which has a reduced armor configuration and simplified electronics… I believe you would refer to it as a “Monkey model”. It’s an improved version of the iteration that was used in the Gulf war.
or the sale of F-16 fighter aircraft done to Romania or Argentina. Instead this equipment will be destroyed and have to replaced.
You again have floated into nonsense. Again I was talking in particular of the Javelin. ATGMs missile systems and munitions have exploration dates. Electronics do to. Once those expire they have to be disposed of.
As to F16. F16 production restarted the first two F16V were delivered to Slovakia this January. These are brand new with new electronics, radars sensors, engines and weapons.
These are not the same as the ones donated to Ukraine.
In the case of the M1 there is no replacement since new tanks haven't been made in decades in the US. In the case of the F-16 it would have to be replaced with the F-35 which comes with its own issues.
Just as there have been no new T80 built in Russia.
The U.S. like Russia stockpiled large quantities of MBT in the Cold War era. Over 10,000 Abrams tanks were built and thousands were stored at after the draw downs. Those tanks are stripped to bear hulls and rebuild to modern specifications. This is known as resetting.
This may however there started talk of building a new production line to restart production.