Drone Technology in Ukraine - Automation, Lethality & The (Scary) Development Race
Drones have been a major feature of the fighting in Ukraine since well before the 2022 invasion - but they have been set apart from other major systems by just how quickly the technology and tactics behind them have evolved.
In this episode, I look at why drones in Ukraine are becoming more dangerous, at the same time as they are becoming much, much more common.
Patreon:
/ perunau
Caveats, Comments and Corrections:
All normal caveats and disclaimers apply
In particular – I would like to note as always that this material has been created for entertainment purposes and is not intended to be a complete or comprehensive examination of the topic in question and should not be relied upon to inform financial or other similar decisions, judgements or evaluations.
I also note that while I describe 10km as a long range for an FPV strike - this is from the point of view of the war as a whole. And FPV strikes significantly beyond the 10km mark have been reported and claimed.
Readings and Sources (temporarily shortened list as I am in transit):
Institute for Science and International Security report on Lancet-3
https://isis-online.org/isis-reports/...
Lushenko, Paul (LTC, PhD) - The Cult of the Drone: At the two-year mark, UAVs have changed the face of war in Ukraine – but not outcomes
https://theconversation.com/cult-of-t...
Illustrative report on COTS sourcing of thermal drones
https://mil.in.ua/en/news/ukrainian-m...
Reporting on Russian use of Repeater drones
https://mil.in.ua/en/news/russians-in...
Reporting on Ukraine producing flight controllers
https://www.forbes.com/sites/davidham...
S J Freedberg Jr - The Revolution That Wasn't: how AI drones have fizzled in Ukraine (so far)
https://breakingdefense.com/2024/02/t...
Reporting on Lancet and its autonomy:
https://www.forbes.com/sites/davidham...
https://www.forbes.com/sites/davidham...
Reporting on FPV production:
https://mil.in.ua/en/news/diy-drones-...
https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-6...
https://mil.in.ua/en/news/since-the-b...
https://kyivindependent.com/fedorov-u...
Featured image of Lancet attack on UA MiG-29
https://www.forbes.com/sites/davidaxe...
Image source for UA troops setting up antenna
https://www.theguardian.com/artanddes...
Featured article on refinery strikes
https://www.reuters.com/business/ener...
And the improvised aircraft drone strike
https://www.twz.com/news-features/rus...
That NZ supermarket meal planning AI I mentioned:
https://www.theguardian.com/world/202...
Timestamps:
00:00:00 — Opening Words
00:00:40 — What Am I Talking About?
00:01:11 — Caveats And Content
00:01:55 — The New Drone Ecosystem
00:05:00 — The Drones Get Better
00:06:26 — Sensors And Night Ops
00:10:43 — Range And The Value Of Reach
00:19:20 — Targeting & AI
00:27:38 — Lethality
00:39:44 — Countermeasures
00:48:43 — Production
00:57:47 — Implications And Projections
01:10:58 — Channel Update
