The Russian invasion of Ukraine has placed unbelievable pressure on drone developers on both sides of the war, who have responded with astounding innovations that include:
- fiber-optic drones (to prevent radio jamming)
- kamikaze sea drones, eventually equipped with anti-air missiles
- drones that fire shotguns
- bomber drones that drop mines and grenades
- drones that release flaming thermite into trenches
- long-range, aircraft-style drones that can substitute for small cruise missiles
- interceptor drones that hunt down other drones
- first-person view (FPV) drones so maneuverable they can be piloted right through a broken window pane to hit indoor targets
- ground drones for both combat and transport
Many drone developers are now chasing the next big thing - AI built right into the drone, allowing it to make autonomous targeting decisions if its communication links are cut.
But sometimes you don't need high-tech software, agility, or stealth. Sometimes, you just need a really, really big drone that can carry an entire e-bike and deliver it to a soldier stranded several kilometers away.
Read full article
Comments
Source: Ars Technica