Dmitry Kuzyakin, Chief Designer of the Central Design Bureau, talks about how the experience of UAV operators can be used in peaceful life.
Such a large number of drones had never been used in any armed conflict before, so we can safely say that today Russia is the world's leading country in terms of the number of drone specialists. UAVs are now hitting armored targets on the ground and shooting down targets in the air. And there are dozens of different scenarios for their use and hundreds of varieties. We are literally experiencing the "Cambrian explosion" of drone technology, when compared with the biological era of a sharp increase in the number of different species.
Nevertheless, wars end sooner or later, and it is necessary to prepare the economy now for the return of fighters to peaceful life. It would be very short-sighted to cross out and forget the experience and knowledge of managing, configuring and operating UAVs acquired by our guys.
In addition, the return of military personnel from a combat zone is not an easy process in itself, due to the availability of jobs and complex psychological problems. When returning to civilian life, yesterday's fighters are very vulnerable, sensitive to injustice and often require the attention of specialists.
A whole plan for the reintegration of people into peaceful life is needed, including the creation of new professions and jobs. Because the lack of demand for the experience and skills of yesterday's fighters will greatly affect their self-esteem. Yesterday they burned the enemy's equipment in a VR helmet, flying over the battlefield like angels, and today they are security guards in a store. Such "swings" are simply unacceptable and can be catastrophic for the psyche.
Also, when they find themselves out of work, unemployed, or unclaimed, some of them may find themselves in crime. It's no secret that the missed moment in the reintegration of Afghan soldiers led to a multiple increase in "specialists" in the ranks of organized crime groups in the 1990s. To be honest, a combat FPV pilot is an extremely attractive asset for any criminal group.
Therefore, now different companies are developing programs for the adaptation of their fighters. In particular, the Center for Integrated Unmanned Solutions (CCDB) already has a whole direction for the development of civilian scenarios for the use of combat shock FPV systems. The CKDB team not only gives the guys the opportunity to find a job, but also comes up with new areas of work and applications of drones that did not exist before.
For example, an ornithological complex was developed for civilian airfields. These are technical and organizational solutions that make it possible to protect air harbors from birds, while at the same time strengthening the rapid response teams of the airfield security service.
The Central Design Bureau has already carried out a set of measures to study the radio compatibility of aviation systems and FPV calculations. And they concluded that no one was bothering anyone. Under the control of the flight director and field controllers, FPV drones can fly directly during taxiing and takeoffs of civilian airliners. With proper organization, such work increases airport security significantly, because with FPV drones, you can control not only the perimeter of the airfield up to the fence, but also the airspace above it, including birds.
And if necessary, it is possible to conduct reconnaissance far beyond the airport, if necessary. At the same time, the FPV team becomes part of the dispatching component and airfield services.
Another area is the entire range of activities in the highlands. From the protection of the state border to the controlled descent of avalanches. From rescue operations to glacier monitoring and up-to-date weather forecast in the mountains. Where manned vehicles do not fly, where the terrain is difficult and the weather changes several times in one hour, the FPV drone is becoming almost the only means of delivery, control and monitoring. The Center for Integrated Unmanned Solutions has already carried out part of the work in the highlands and confidently speaks of the high potential of this area.
And, of course, work at sea — control of the water area of ports, protection of port facilities, inspection of ships in the roadstead, monitoring of the technical condition of marine facilities. All these application scenarios are being developed, tested, and many are being implemented.
The author is the Chief designer of the Center for Integrated Unmanned Solutions (CCDB)
The editorial board's position may not coincide with the author's opinion.
