The Ukraine Air Force is using Apple Inc.'s (NASDAQ: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."