Drones Have Become A Significant Threat To Tanks

Reposting this video showing a Russian T-80BVM tank with a roof screen and deploying smoke surviving multiple FPV hits and misses.https://t.co/nS5v1Vx15F https://t.co/YpwuUrelOT pic.twitter.com/A6ethi6l0O

— Rob Lee (@RALee85) December 13, 2023

Warzone/The Drive: Tank Runs For Its Life Under Constant Barrage Of Attack Drones  

The video is reminder of how low-end FPV drones are drastically changing warfare and how prevalent they are becoming on the battlefield.  

Among the most notable developments in the war in Ukraine is the ubiquity of First Person View (FPV) drones, a highly maneuverable loitering munition both sides are using to devastating effect. They are now dominating the battlefield to a degree. We have showcased numerous videos of the FPV drones damaging or destroying tanks, trucks and even individual soldiers. Less commonly seen are incidents in which vehicles survive multiple such attacks. 

That was the story, however, behind a lucky T-80BVM tank crew recently. The video below shows the tank as it runs for its life while coming under sustained attack by a succession of explosive-laden FPV drones. 

Read more ....  

WNU Editor: More evidence that the outcome of future of wars will be determined by who has the most drones.

Artificial intelligence Flies XQ-58A Valkyrie Drone For The First Time

An F-15E Strike Eagle from the 40th Flight Test Squadron at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., accompanies an XQ-58A Valkyrie flown by artificial intelligence, in an undated photo. The Air Force recently announced that the Valkyrie drone was flown by AI for the first time. (U.S. Air Force) 

Stars and Stripes: Air Force pulls off first AI flight in pilotless plane 

Air Force researchers are touting the achievement of the first unmanned flight using artificial intelligence algorithms after a successful three-hour sortie by an XQ-58A Valkyrie. 

The flight took place at Florida’s Eglin Air Force Base on July 25, according to a statement issued Thursday by the Air Force Research Lab, which developed the unmanned plane in partnership with Kratos. 

The AI algorithms used in the flight were created by the lab and honed through millions of hours of simulations, the statement said. 

Read more .... 

WNU Editor: This will probably be the future of aerial warfare .... Artificial intelligence Flies XQ-58A Valkyrie Drone For The First Time (Airforce Technology).

Artificial intelligence Flies XQ-58A Valkyrie Drone For The First Time  

AFRL artificial intelligence agents successfully pilot XQ-58A Valkyrie uncrewed jet aircraft -- Air Force Research Laboratory Public Affairs  

Artificial intelligence flies XQ-58A Valkyrie drone -- Defense News  

XQ-58A 'Valkyrie' drone successfully flown by AI pilot -- Interesting Engineering  

Air Force Research Laboratory touts first successful Valkyrie flight powered by AI -- The Hill 

AI pilots, the future of aerial warfare -- Airforce Technology

China Imposes Restrictions On Drone Exports Citing Ukraine And Concerns About Military Use

FILE PHOTO: A drone is seen in the sky as Chinese drone maker DJI holds a demonstration to display an app that tracks a drone's registration and owner in Montreal  

Reuters: China curbs exports of drone equipment amid U.S. tech tension 

BEIJING (Reuters) -China on Monday announced export controls on some drones and drone-related equipment, saying it wanted to safeguard "national security and interests" amid escalating tension with the United States over access to technology. 

The restrictions on equipment including some drone engines, lasers, communication equipment and anti-drone systems would take effect on Sept. 1, the commerce ministry said. 

The controls would also affect some consumer drones, and no civilian drones could be exported for military purposes, a ministry spokesperson said in a statement.  

Read more .... 

Update #1: China imposes curbs on drone exports, citing Ukraine and concern about military use -- AP  

Update #2: China imposes drone export curbs amid US tech tensions (Al Jazeera)  

WNU Editor: China is saying these restrictions are temporary .... China to impose temporary export control on some drones (CGTN). 

I know both Russia and Ukraine are extensively using Chinese drones in this war. Any restrictions will impact the war efforts of these countries.

U.S. To Provide Ukraine Black Hornet Spy Drones For The First Time

Reuters: US military aid for Ukraine for first time includes Black Hornet spy drone 

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -The U.S. Department of Defense announced $400 million in additional security assistance for Ukraine on Tuesday, including air defense missiles, armored vehicles and small drones, as Ukraine's counteroffensive against Russia grinds on. 

The new aid package, which was first reported by Reuters, will include for the first time U.S. furnished Black Hornet surveillance drones made by Teledyne FLIR Defense, part of Teledyne Technologies. 

The Norwegian-built Hornet is being used in Ukraine through donations by the British and Norwegian governments, the company said. FLIR Unmanned Aerial Systems was awarded a $93 million contract in April to provide the small reconnaissance drones to the U.S. Army.  

Read more ....  

Update: US to provide tiny Black Hornet nano-drones to Ukraine in new aid package (Ukrainska Pravda)  

WNU Editor: This is what the Black Hornet spy drone can do (see video below). 

Ex-Google CEO Says He Is Shocked Russia Excels At Countering Ukrainian Drones

 

WNU Editor: Former Google CEO and Chairman Eric Schmidt is saying what WNU has been saying for years. The future of warfare is drones.

Russia Readies A New Generation Of Lancet Suicide Drones That Can Attack As A Swarm

 

Aviaci Online: Russia readies next-generation Lancet suicide drones for use in Ukraine 

ZALA Aero Group (part of the Kalashnikov concern) is finalizing the development of a new generation of suicide drones, known for now as “Izdeliye-53”, which represents a major evolution of its current flagship product, the Lancet 3.

In an interview given to Russian media, the Izdeliye-53 (project 53) new loitering munition of the Lancet family which incorporates new capabilities and functionalities, was presented to the public for the first time, representing the next evolutionary step in this type of offensive systems.  

Read more ....  

WNU Editor: The Lancent drone has been a game changer for the Russian military in the Ukraine war. But watching the above video was jaw-dropping for me. Russia has not only improved the lethality of this drone, but these drones now have the capability of attacking swarms. And to top it all off, Russia is now producing thousands of these suicide drones per month.

Moscow Bans Use Of All Drones

© Sergei Bobylev/TASS  

TASS: Ban on drones goes in effect in Moscow 

"The document signed regulates the order of issuing permits for the flights of unmanned aerial vehicles over the city," the authorities said 

MOSCOW, May 3. /TASS/. Moscow authorities have introduced a ban on all unmanned aerial vehicles flying over the city except those necessary for state needs. 

The protocol on the matter was signed during a meeting of the Moscow crisis center, the City Hall told TASS on Wednesday. 

"The document signed regulates the order of issuing permits for the flights of unmanned aerial vehicles over the city. Such permits will now be issued only for government needs," the authorities said. Additionally, during the meeting it was decided to bolster work on intercepting illegal drone flights and holding individuals and organizations liable for violating airspace rules and regulations.  

Read more ....  

Update: Moscow bans use of drones (RT).  

WNU Editor: I am not sure if this ban will be effective. Drones are already not permitted anywhere near the Kremlin, and it did not stop this attack. 

On a side note. Russians love their drones .... Moscow receives about 300 reports on drones flying over city every day (TASS).

Report Says Russia’s Lancet Kamikaze Drones Are ‘Wreaking Havoc’ On Ukrainian Military

Video of the other one getting hit. Why no fireworks like the other one... lol... maybe the tubes were empty. pic.twitter.com/YqeRjTjI2k

— Chebureki Man (@CheburekiMan) April 27, 2023

Russian forces have started using a new tactic to destroy Ukrainian SAMs.

Shahed/Geran drones fly towards Ukrainian SAMs and act as bait. This reveals the location of the SAM, which are then destroyed by Lancet kamikaze drones - Ukraine press director Alexei Dmitrashkovsky. pic.twitter.com/CjvJ5GYieF

— LogKa (@LogKa11) April 25, 2023

EurAsian Times: Russia’s Lancet UAVs ‘Wreak Havoc’ On Ukrainian Military; Reports Say Four S-300 Launchers, One Anti-Aircraft Gun Destroyed 

As intense combat rages in Eastern Ukraine, the Russian Armed Forces claimed to have destroyed several high-value targets, including Ukrainian S-300 air defense systems with its famed ZALA Lancet kamikaze drone. 

Over the past day, the Russian Armed Forces said they destroyed four S-300 launchers in the Kherson region and a Gepard self-propelled anti-aircraft gun of the Armed Forces of Ukraine with the help of Lancet loitering ammunition. 

During the strikes, 14 servicemen of the Armed Forces of Ukraine were killed, and ten were injured, a representative of the region’s emergency services told reporters. 

“Yesterday, four S-300 launchers and a Gepard self-propelled anti-aircraft gun were destroyed near the city of Kherson by strikes from Lancet unmanned loitering ammunition, 14 servicemen of the Armed Forces of Ukraine died, ten were injured,” he said.  

Read more ....  

WNU Editor: It looks like there are some interested parties/buyers for this drone .... Ukrainians Selling Parts of Downed Russian Lancet Kamikaze Drones (Defense Post). 

This blog has always stated/predicted that future warfare will involve the extensive use of drones to fight it. We are now seeing it at play in the Russia - Ukraine war, and from both sides. 

More News On Russia’s Lancet Kamikaze Drones  

Russians destroy first German Gepard anti-aircraft gun system in Ukraine with Lancet drone -- Army Recognition  

Lancet kills five air defense systems (S-300s and Gepard) in 24h -- Bulgarian Military  

Russian Lancet-3 drones alter the shoot and scoot advantage of Western artillery in Ukraine -- Frontier India

Russia Is Jamming The Drones That Ukraine Is Using

Ukrainian servicemen of the 63rd brigade operate a drone to locate the target for an artillery strike. Photograph: Jelle Krings/The Guardian 

The Guardian: ‘They’re starting to die’: fears Ukraine’s drone supremacy may soon be over  

Frontline drone operators say Russia is close to countering their most popular models – setting off a race to find replacements 

Crouching in a freezing basement or risking it all on top of a nine-storey building, the drone squads in the war zone of Bakhmut are ubiquitous. Some are forced to lurk a few hundred metres from, or even on, the frontline. Without them, Ukraine’s efforts to hold on to the embattled city would be much harder, perhaps impossible. 

But the concern for Ukraine, according to three frontline drone operators deployed in the city over the winter, is that the Russians are close to countering the most popular models in operation, those made by the Chinese manufacturer DJI. “They’re adept and they are manufacturing these special jamming systems,” said Yaroslav, 31. 

Read more ....  

WNU Editor: There are limits to drone warfare if you have a limited number of drones .... Ukraine has exposed the limits of drone warfare (The Spectator).

Ukraine Using Remote-Control 'Kamikaze' Cars Packed With Explosives To Destroy Russian Targets

 

Daily Mail: Ukraine's newest weapon: Troops use remote-control 'kamikaze' cars packed with explosives to destroy Russian tanks 

* Video appears to show soldiers preparing remote-controlled vehicle for combat

* They then direct it towards what appears to be a Russian tank 

Footage has emerged of Ukrainian troops using remote-controlled 'kamikaze' cars packed with explosives to obliterate Russian tanks. 

Fighting is mainly centred around the easternmost regions of Ukraine, where the city of Bakhmut has been locked in intense conflict. 

Some Ukrainian soldiers on the frontlines are now using explosive-packed remote-controlled cars, also known as unmanned ground vehicles, to hit Russian targets, according to a video shared on social media over the weekend.  

Read more ....  

WNU Editor: The above video was not taken recently. There is too much snow on the ground. The front-lines are now mostly muddy and/or barren.

Taiwan Unveils Its New Combat And Surveillance Drones

A view shows Cardinal III UAV on display as Taiwan's Defence Ministry showcases its domestically developed drones to the press in Taichung, Taiwan March 14, 2023. REUTERS/Ann Wang  

CNN: Taiwan unveils its new combat and surveillance drones as China threat grows  

A Taiwanese state-owned military weapons developer unveiled five new types of indigenous military drones on Tuesday, as the self-ruled island looks to boost its asymmetric warfare capabilities against China’s growing military threat. 

A CNN team was among reporters invited to the National Chung-shan Institute of Science and Technology, where the Taiwanese weapons developer displayed eight types of locally developed unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) – including five models that were shown to the public for the first time. 

The new drones come in different sizes and are equipped with either combat or surveillance capabilities, said Eric Chi, director of the institute’s Aeronautical Systems Research Division, who added that the devices were designed for use by different branches of Taiwan’s military.  

Read more .... 

Taiwan Unveils Its New Combat And Surveillance Drones  

Taiwan unveils small kamikaze drone similar to US Switchblade -- Taiwan News  

Learning from Ukraine, Taiwan shows off its drones as key to 'asymmetric warfare' -- Reuters  

Taiwan unveils portable attack drone as China tensions rise -- AFP

The Pentagon Wants To Develop And Use Drone Swarms To Destroy Enemy Defenses

The US Pentagon is working a new 'weapon of mass destruction' that involves thousands of drones that strike by air, land and water to destroy enemy defenses. Stock photo 

Daily Mail: US Pentagon is developing a new 'weapon of mass destruction': Thousands of drones will work together to destroy enemy defenses - but experts fear humans will lose control of the 'swarms' 

* Autonomous Multi-Domain Adaptive Swarms-of-Swarms is the new project 

* DARPA has been collecting bids from suppliers for the $78 million contract 

* The US military previously tested drones to deliver medical supplies 

The US Pentagon is planning a new 'weapon of mass destruction' that involves thousands of drones that strike by air, land and water to destroy enemy defenses - but experts fear humans could lose control of the 'swarms.' 

The top-secret project, dubbed AMASS (Autonomous Multi-Domain Adaptive Swarms-of-Swarms), would represent automated warfare on an unprecedented scale. AMASS is still in the planning stages, but DARPA (Defense Advanced Research Project Agency) has been collecting bids from suppliers for the $78 million contract.  

Read more .... 

WNU Editor: The US has some catching-up to do .... Has China Mastered The Ability To Launch Kamikaze Swarm Drones? (December 29, 2022). 

In the movie "Angel Has Fallen" we see what a hypothetical drone swarm attack can do (see video below). 

Israel's Newest Drone Can Carry Up To A Ton Of Munitions

An Elbit Systems Ltd. Hermes 900 unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) is seen at the company's drone factory in Rehovot, Israel, June 28, 2018. Picture taken June 28, 2018. (photo credit: REUTERS/OREL COHEN/FILE PHOTO ) 

Reuters: Israel's pioneering drones use free-falling bombs, can carry a tonne 

TEL AVIV (Reuters) - Israeli armed drones use gravity bombs that produce no noise or smoke as they fall, making them hard for enemies to anticipate or evade, and the largest model of the aircraft can carry up to a tonne of munitions, its military says. 

After more than two decades of secrecy, Israel in July went public about its pioneering armed drones developed as part of an array of stand-off surveillance and striking options since it was blindsided by tank incursions during a 1973 war. 

In November, an Israeli general detailed the two corps - air force and artillery - that operate the drones, both against Palestinian foes close to home and possibly targets as far away as Iran or Sudan. 

Such drones are remote-piloted, relaying video or dropping bombs before returning to base. They are distinct from the kamikaze drones that Iran said were used in a weekend attack on a defence plant in Isfahan, an incident on which Israel has declined to comment.  

Read more ....  

Update #1: Israel’s pioneering drones use free-falling, silent bombs (i24 News)  

Update #2: Israel indicates its drones are powerful combat operators (All Israel News)  

WNU Editor: Israel has imposed limits on what drones can be exported .... Frustration mounts for Israeli defense firms that can’t export payloads for drones (Breaking Defense).

Ukraine Plans To Spend $540 Million On New Drones This Year

Military drone operators in eastern Ukraine © Thomson Reuters  

Defense News: Ukraine plans to spend $540 million on drones this year 

WARSAW, Poland — Ukraine plans to spend about 20 billion hryvnia (U.S. $540 million) on new drones this year, according to the country’s defense minister. 

The UAVs are meant to support the Ukrainian military as it continues to combat Russia’s invasion.

“In 2023, we are increasing the purchases of UAVs for the Ukrainian Armed Forces,” Oleksii Reznikov said in a Facebook post. “This is just the beginning. After all, this is not only about the needs of aerial reconnaissance.” 

The official said that, owing to the forthcoming acquisitions, the Ukrainian military will strengthen its combat drone capacities. Ukraine will use other new UAVs for surveillance, to support to artillery units and in other missions, Reznikov added.  

Read more .... 

More News On Ukraine's Drone Plans  

Ukraine to invest $550 million in drones, defense minister says -- FOX News  

Ukraine defense ministry to spend over $500 million on 'Army of Drones' project in 2023 -- Republic World  

Ukrainian Defense Ministry signs 16 contracts with domestic UAV manufacturers -- Ukrinform  

Ukraine sets up drone assault units -- Reuters

Israel Unveils ‘Breakthrough’ Loitering UAV That Can Be Carried In A Soldier’s Backpack

 

EDR Online: Israel Aerospace Industries unveils POINT BLANK – a hand-launched electro-optical guided missile  

A multi-year, multi-million-dollar contract has been awarded by the US Department of Defense to IAI to develop and deliver the new hybrid electro-optically-guided missile 

IAI has unveiled its POINT BLANK electro-optically guided missile, that can be carried in a soldier’s backpack. The system answers the battlefield requirement to provide tactical units ranging in size from small tactical teams to battalion level, with an independent and organic capability to increase their lethality. 

POINT BLANK allows these units to attack a variety of targets in real time with great precision and high lethality, without the need for support. The missile is hand-launched, operated by a single soldier, and can take off from and land vertically back to, the soldier’s hand.  

Read more ....  

WNU Editor: U.S. Special Ops will be testing this Israeli loitering munition .... Israeli X-Wing-Looking Loitering Munition To Be Tested By U.S. Special Ops (Warzone/The Drive).

 Israel Unveils ‘Breakthrough’ Loitering UAV That Can Be Carried In A Soldier’s Backpack  

Hitting ‘Point Blank’, Israel Unveils ‘Breakthrough’ Loitering UAV That Can Be Carried In A Soldier’s Backpack -- EurAsian Times  

Israel Aerospace Industries unveils POINT BLANK – a hand-launched electro-optical guided missile -- IAI  

A new Israeli military drone actually looks like a tiny X-Wing -- Interesting Engineering

As Drone Advances Continue In The Russia - Ukraine War A New Age Of Warfare Is Coming

Ukrainian soldiers launch a drone at Russian positions near Bakhmut, Donetsk region, Ukraine, Thursday, Dec. 15, 2022. (AP Photo/LIBKOS, File)  

Defense News/AP: Drone advances in Ukraine could bring new age of warfare 

KYIV, Ukraine — Drone advances in Ukraine have accelerated a long-anticipated technology trend that could soon bring the world’s first fully autonomous fighting robots to the battlefield, inaugurating a new age of warfare. 

The longer the war lasts, the more likely it becomes that drones will be used to identify, select and attack targets without help from humans, according to military analysts, combatants and artificial intelligence researchers. 

That would mark a revolution in military technology as profound as the introduction of the machine gun. Ukraine already has semi-autonomous attack drones and counter-drone weapons endowed with AI. Russia also claims to possess AI weaponry, though the claims are unproven. But there are no confirmed instances of a nation putting into combat robots that have killed entirely on their own.  

Read more ....  

WNU Editor: Algorithmic warfare is also another development that is pushing us toward a new age of warfare .... Algorithmic Warfare Is Making A Difference For Ukraine In Its War Against Russia (January 3, 2023).

US Navy Buys Two XQ-58A Valkyries For Secretive ‘Killer’ Drone Project

 

Warzone/The Drive: Navy Buys XQ-58A Valkyries For Secretive ‘Killer’ Drone Project  

Navy XQ-58As loaded with sensors and weapons will help demonstrate autonomous drone capabilities able to penetrate enemy air defenses.  

The U.S. Navy is set to become the newest operator of Kratos' XQ-58A Valkyrie drone, at least that we know about. The service recently awarded the company a contract for the purchase of two of these stealthy low-cost uncrewed aircraft as part of a previously unknown program called the Penetrating Affordable Autonomous Collaborative Killer. The U.S. Air Force, the only currently known user of the XQ-58A, has been using its Valkyries for various test purposes, including projects that are feeding into the classified Collaborative Combat Aircraft program. 

The Pentagon announced that the Navy had finalized a deal to buy the pair of XQ-58As in a daily contracting notice on December 30, 2022. The contract, which came through Naval Air Systems Command's (NAVAIR) Naval Air Warfare Aircraft Division (NAWCAD) and is valued at $15,515,343, covers the production and delivery of the drones, as well as unspecified "sensor and weapon system payloads."  

Read more .... 

 US Navy Buys Two XQ-58A Valkyries For Secretive ‘Killer’ Drone Project  

Following increased Air Force interest, Navy buys its own Valkyrie drones -- Breaking Defense  

Navy Buys 2 'Loyal Wingman' XQ-58A Valkyrie Drones for $15.5M -- USNI News  

U.S. Navy Buys Two "Killer" Fighter Drones for Experimental Program -- Maritime Executive 

U.S. Navy awards Kratos $15.5 million contract for 2 XQ-58A Valkyrie UAVs -- Naval News  

US Navy to procure XQ-58A Valkyrie for Killer Drone Project -- Interesting Engineering

Has China Mastered The Ability To Launch Kamikaze Swarm Drones?

 

The EurAsian Times: 100% Autonomous Or Chinese Propaganda? US Expert Decodes Viral Video Showing China’s Kamikaze Swarm Drones 

A video of a ground control station view (or console) of a massive swarm of loitering munitions by a Chinese company has triggered speculation as to whether China has completely mastered autonomous UAV technology.  

In September 2020, the China Academy of Electronics and Information Technology (CAEIT) released a video of the same system. It showed three drones being launched from a box array of 48 tubular launchers from the back of a Dongfeng Mengshi vehicle.   

Read more ....  

WNU Editor: I think it is only a matter of time that we will be seeing kamikaze drone swarms as depicted in the movie "Angel Has Fallen" (see below). 

U.S. Senate Alarmed By Drones Violating Restricted Airspace Over Washington, D.C.

Politico: Drones over D.C.: Senators alarmed over potential Chinese spy threat  

Lawmakers who were briefed on hundreds of intrusions over the White House, Capitol and Pentagon worry about possible espionage. 

Hundreds of Chinese-manufactured drones have been detected in restricted airspace over Washington, D.C., in recent months, a trend that national security agencies fear could become a new means for foreign espionage. 

The recreational drones made by Chinese company DJI, which are designed with “geofencing” restrictions to keep them out of sensitive locations, are being manipulated by users with simple workarounds to fly over no-go zones around the nation’s capital. 

Federal officials and drone industry experts have delivered classified briefings to the Senate Homeland Security, Commerce and Intelligence committees on the development, three people privy to the meetings said. 

A spokesperson for the Intelligence Committee — which has been kept closely apprised of the counterintelligence risks — declined to comment on the briefings. The other two committees did not respond.  

Read more ....  

WNU Editor: I am not surprised that people want to fly drones around the U.S. capital. But what surprised me about this report is that when you buy a drone it is already designed with “geofencing” restrictions to keep them out of sensitive locations.

Micro-Suicide Drone Swarms Are Ready For Urban Combat

Elbit Systems' new Lanius drone (photo credit: SCREENSHOT/ELBIT) 

Jerusalem Post: Elbit's micro-suicide drone swarms can hunt enemies in urban combat 

As drones become more versatile, they can conduct more missions in cities, which also leads to questions about the use of tech in war.  

A new drone from Israel’s Elbit Systems called Lanius combines a number of technologies that put it at the forefront of how drones are transforming war. 

At the same time, reports about the drone may raise questions about how this technology may make war more controversial as “robots” play a larger role in it. 

The more armies and defense companies invest in new technology that enables combat to take place remotely — without soldiers interacting with civilians, for instance — the more it seems like “robot wars.”  

Read more ....

Update #1: These Israeli Urban Battlefield Assassin Drones Are Nightmare Fuel (Warzone/The Drive)  

Update #2: AI-driven combat drone can search buildings and execute suicide attacks (New Atlas)  

WNU Editor: What was once science fiction is now reality. Check out Elbit's promotion video on this drone (see below):