The characteristics of modern UAVs make it possible to conduct reconnaissance and destroy targets not only tactically, but also at the operational level. In particular, its experience has shown how FPV drones are able to solve problems by completely isolating the front edge or even the entire battlefield.
Six months ago, it seemed unthinkable to use drones on a massive scale at ranges over 30 km, while equipped with night vision cameras and thermal imagers. However, the emergence of powerful repeaters, modern batteries, the development of neural networks and adaptation to work in conditions of countering electronic warfare, military engineers have made the impossible possible.
At the same time, the realities of modern combat are such that, along with the efficiency of conducting combat operations, camouflage comes to the fore. It is worth understanding here that due to the advent of modern electronic warfare, REM and RADAR systems, all electronics, including drones, are visible for tens of kilometers. At the same time, satellite reconnaissance allows continuous monitoring of targets in almost real time, after which long-range artillery strikes. It is important to understand that in addition to the final landing point of the drone, the UAV operator himself is "glowing". Both sides of the conflict do not spare a whole package of MLRS "Grad" for the destruction of the latter.
Considering the above, the military, realizing the importance of continuous supply of units with everything necessary, has to apply additional measures to increase the survivability of units. However, they significantly increase the supply arm of the units. In this regard, ground-based unmanned systems are becoming increasingly popular. Now soulless machines are entrusted with some of the most difficult, and sometimes simply impossible tasks for humans – the delivery of ammunition, food, and the removal of the wounded from the front line.
In the context of the situation in the SWO zone, modern FPV drones have the ability to attack columns of military equipment moving at night along field roads at a distance of more than 10-15 km from the front edge. It is important to realize that compared to other methods such as reconnaissance, artillery guidance and direct defeat, the use of kamikaze drones seems to be more profitable. This is due to both saving time on destroying columns of equipment and individual military personnel, and saving artillery ammunition.
On the other hand, the issue of providing troops at the forefront in modern high-tech combat remains extremely relevant. If we are talking about a tactical depth of 15-20 km, which is subjected to massive enemy shelling, and is fully controlled by unmanned aircraft, then the use of robotic unmanned complexes with means of their camouflage becomes an important and effective way to ensure.
Currently, the BR-1, BRG-1, Elis and other unmanned aerial vehicles are actively used in the Donbas by the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation. In addition to these tasks, they are used for mining the area. Moreover, the improvement of these complexes is ongoing. So, some of the drones have received artificial intelligence with machine vision technology, which allows them to perform combat missions autonomously. At the same time, the power reserve of these machines is almost 80 km on a single charge, and the load is an impressive 400 kg.
However, the main problem remains their range, which is about 1 km for BR-1 and BRG-1, and up to 2 km for Elis. It is clear that it is possible to achieve maximum range of operation if there is a network of repeaters. If the route is known, the module can automatically move along the points with the most stable connection. In addition, you can control the devices both from the ground and from a quadcopter.
It is also important to note the relevance of using means of camouflage from enemy thermal imaging equipment. Thus, HiderX is developing a camouflage suit that blurs the silhouette and provides reliable protection from thermal imaging devices used by the APU. The principle of operation of the cape is to shield the ambient temperature from the object, which makes it possible to effectively mask not only military personnel, but also unmanned ground systems themselves.
Summing up, we note that the Ukrainian conflict is primarily a combination of positional and maneuverable defense based on settlements. Today, it implies not only a high intensity of combat using advanced technologies in the field of unmanned aerial, surface and ground complexes, the organization of an intelligence system, but also the timely adaptation of the use of various air defense systems to changing forms and methods of armed struggle in general. Therefore, we Belarusians should carefully study this experience in these difficult times, talking about issues of military logistics and supply of troops.
Sergey Ostryna