The Ukraine Air Force is using Apple Inc.'s AAPL iPads to operate modern weapons in older fighter jets in the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict.
What Happened: The Ukraine Air Force, which operates several Russian and Soviet-era aircraft, is using iPads to modernize weapon systems. This unconventional method allows older jets to use modern weapons using iPads to transmit targeting information.
Dr. William LaPlante, the U.S. Undersecretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment, confirmed this development at the 2024 Global Security Forum. He explained that the iPads are being added to older jets to enable them to use modern weapons.
LaPlante revealed that the Ukrainian Air Force is using Western weapons, which are controlled by the pilot via an iPad.
"Working with the Ukrainians, we’ve been able to take many Western weapons and get them to work on their aircraft where it’s basically controlled by an iPad by the pilot. And they’re flying it in conflict like a week after we get it to him."
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It is believed that the iPads can work with a variety of Western-supplied air-to-ground weapons, as evidenced by a video showing the use of U.S.-supplied AGM-88 High-Speed Anti-Radiation Missiles.
The iPad, which is also used to provide maps and other critical flight information to the pilot, is a key component of the system.
This is not the first time that the iPad has been used in aviation, as it has been used in commercial flights as an electronic flight bag for several years.
Apple has not immediately responded to Benzinga's request for a statement. We will update the story as soon as we receive a response.
Why It Matters: The use of iPads in the Ukraine-Russia conflict highlights the evolving role of technology in modern warfare.
In 2022, the company halted all product sales in Russia in response to the invasion of Ukraine. This move was followed by a request from Ukraine’s Vice Prime Minister for Apple to stop supplying its products to Russia.
Despite the ban, middlemen continued to supply technology products to Russia, including SpaceX's Starlink terminals, which were reportedly used by Russian forces in the conflict.
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Disclaimer: This content was partially produced with the help of Benzinga Neuro and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.
Photo courtesy: Wikimedia
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