In Ukraine’s war against invading Russian forcesCheap, slow and unremarkable drones are proving to be a very effective weapon capable of dealing serious damage to enemy targets.
Image credit: Aerorozvidka/VICE (still image from YouTube video)
Modern mass-produced drones often have very limited performance characteristics compared to highly specialized military drones. But the cost of these low-tech products is significantly lower. In the hands of competent engineers and operators, even a lower-end UAV can be modified not only to carry out surveillance activitiesbut also to carry explosives – sometimes weighing up to 5 kg – and drop them at designated locations using visual feedback.
During these months fierce war, elite drone operators are emerging in Ukraine, often made up of people who have nothing to do with the military before their country is forced to defend its territory. These defense units include teachers, photographers, bankers and drone hobbyists – check out the following video to learn how these braves discovered their talents in engineering, repairing and flying custom military drones:
