Ukraine Pushes Drone Autonomy to Shield Operators as Pilots Cause 90% of Russia's Front-Line Losses
Updated
Updated · Business Insider · Jun 23
Ukraine Pushes Drone Autonomy to Shield Operators as Pilots Cause 90% of Russia's Front-Line Losses
3 articles · Updated · Business Insider · Jun 23
Summary
Ukraine is developing remote-control systems and greater drone autonomy to move operators farther from combat, including technology that lets some interceptor pilots fly from hundreds of miles from the launch point.
Drone crews remain prime Russian targets because they scout, direct strikes and multiply combat power; Ukrainian officials say drones now inflict 90% of Russia's front-line losses.
Many operators still must work close to the front to maintain links and support infantry, and some end up fighting with small arms, making the role "basically infantry with drones," according to a former pilot.
Russian forces increasingly hunt drone teams with missiles, bombs and artillery once they are detected, while Ukraine is also targeting Russian pilots in the same cat-and-mouse battle.
Ukraine is extending that protection push to ground robots and hardened command centers, and says Western militaries should study how exposed drone units become in modern war.