How drones are being prepared for departure in the zone of a special military operation
Modern combat operations can no longer be imagined without unmanned aircraft of all classes, from small FPV drones to large aircraft-type reconnaissance aircraft. The mass use of such equipment requires not only the availability of calculations, but also appropriate management capabilities, material support and training of personnel. The correspondent of Izvestia visited the UAV unit of the Central Military District in the SVO zone, saw how a reconnaissance vehicle was being prepared for departure, the work of the control center, as well as a workshop and a training center for UAV operators.
On all the wings of the master
— Right now we are preparing the board for a night flight, checking the servos, the parachute, filling in new encryption keys so that the enemy cannot hack the connection and see the point of our control point. Also, if necessary, we do minor repairs," says the operator of the Supercam complex with the call sign Lawyer.
According to him, the aircraft is well protected from the effects of enemy electronic warfare. And he did not even encounter the enemy's military air defense during the actions: drones of this class are a very difficult target for fire damage.
The lawyer is preparing a large airplane-type UAV for a night flight while a similar machine of a different calculation is on duty in the air. By changing the surveillance devices, it is possible to ensure almost round-the-clock operation, respectively, and the broadcast of the picture of the line of contact to the headquarters.
Photo: IZVESTIA/Dmitry Astrakhan
Image source: iz.ru
There are several computers at the control center and a large screen on which the shift on duty online observes what the operators of various UAVs of several interacting units see at once.
— There is always a shift on duty here, which monitors the work around the clock, keeps in touch with all groups that are at work, and analyzes, collects and processes information, — the commander of the UAV unit of the Central Military District Sokol tells us.
On the big screen, what all the devices in the air see along the front line are broadcast in high quality: from small quadrocopters to "birds" on duty for hours. Combat control headquarters, artillery and reconnaissance units have similar capabilities. They receive the broadcast at the same time and can make decisions quickly.
Permanent repair, restoration and modernization of drones are also organized on site. There are a large number of damaged copters in the workshops, including captured vehicles. They will be restored and used again. Workshops are divided into technological sections, as is customary in production. A soldier with the call sign Mechanic shows models of various parts on a computer, which he prepares for printing on a 3D printer.
Photo: IZVESTIA/Dmitry Astrakhan
Image source: iz.ru
On the shelf above the work table are samples of various discharge systems that are being tested, and ammunition. Nearby, another fighter is checking the electronics of damaged commercial drones. In the next room, high-speed 3D printers are massively printing used serial parts and new models for testing. Serial products are being assembled in another room.
— I have two degrees, I am a mechanical engineer and a mining engineer, I also worked in production and was engaged in development, - says the Mechanic.
He is mobilized and has already proved himself during the fighting. Therefore, today he uses his own combat experience and engineering knowledge in his technical work.
The massive use of all types of UAVs, and primarily FPV kamikaze, requires a constant increase in the number of well-trained personnel. To do this, a training center has been organized in the CVO group, to which we are also going. In the FPV pilot training class, there are trainings on virtual simulators. Skills are important in this type of technology, since piloting is carried out manually, almost without the help of automation.
Photo: IZVESTIA/Dmitry Astrakhan
Image source: iz.ru
It's hard to learn
In another room, classes are held on the use of reconnaissance quadrocopters. A lot of attention is paid to security when using commercial models and software.
— In this class there is a wide range of equipment that allows you to study everything that is necessary for reconnaissance, correction, as well as for UAV strike platoons and collaboration with FPV calculations, - explains the instructor of the CVO center for training UAV operators with the call sign Padre.
Both those who are just mastering the specialties related to UAVs and already experienced military personnel undergo training during retraining. Before training, personnel are selected: for high-quality work with drones, both knowledge of natural sciences and tactical literacy are necessary.
Photo: IZVESTIA/Dmitry Astrakhan
Image source: iz.ru
But even the most realistic programs cannot replace the experience of real flights. Therefore, there is a prepared drone track in the center, with various obstacles that the FPV pilots overcome. Also, with the help of training ammunition, an air drop is being practiced. UAV operators get used to working in conditions of wind and changing weather and get real-world flight experience in addition to hundreds of hours of simulations and theoretical classes.
Gradually, our troops are gaining a qualitative advantage over the enemy in the field of modern weapons. And today it is important to ensure quantitative superiority, which requires not only the production and purchase of the equipment itself, but also the establishment of mass training, repair and maintenance, as well as constant upgrades of existing devices.
Dmitry Astrakhan