The US military uses the machines as a target in exercises to detect and neutralize drones and missiles from low scattering area and thermal signature.
As part of the “Northern Strike 24-2” exercise in the state of Michigan, the US Air Force demonstrated microplanes that simulated air threats from a hypothetical enemy. As The War Zone observers told one of the key elements of the exercise is the use of JSX-2 single-seat aircraft, which due to their small size and maneuverability are ideal for simulating cruise missiles and drones.
The microplane is equipped with a TJ100 turbojet engine from the Czech company PBS Aerospace with a maximum engine thrust of 281 lb (127.46 kgf). The improved JSX-2, which appeared in the early 2010s, is larger and has a more streamlined design, as well as a fully retractable landing gear. It also features a parachute recovery system that can be deployed by rocket in the event of an in-flight emergency.
The machine has a top speed of 240 miles per hour (386 km/h) and a maximum range of 410 miles ( 659 km).
The planes are equipped with gondolas under the fuselages, which can contain additional equipment for military training.
Observers note that the US military's use of manned aircraft as surrogates for various air threats, particularly cruise missiles, to aid in training, testing and assessment is nothing new. The fact is that the main reason for the use of such equipment is the limitations of the operation of UAVs over the United States, since drones are good for use in strictly controlled airspace, for example, over missile ranges, but are not suitable for use in large force exercises.
< p>Furthermore, compared to drones as targets, which are typically designed for one flight before needing to be recovered and repaired before reuse, manned aircraft can fly multiple missions per day, and they can often do so at a much lower overall cost .
Also JSX-2, has the added ability to better reproduce smaller and more flexible subsonic threats not only visually, but also in terms of effective scattering surface and infrared signature. All this makes the target more accurate for training and testing.