How drones have changed the war and how to learn to assemble and pilot them
Photo: Getty images
The two years of the Russian-Ukrainian war have clearly demonstrated how the Ukrainian technological revolution is changing the way modern warfare is conducted. Our defenders have unpleasantly surprised the enemy with their technological ingenuity, while at the same time inspiring the world’s admiration.
Drones in warfare are one of the inexpensive elements of warfare that gave us time and an advantage over the enemy. But it does not stand still either, so our fighters are modifying “outdated” FPV drones and assembling new ones from damaged ones right on the ground.
As a proof of the importance of drones in the war, 67 UAV assault companies were formed in Ukraine for the first time in the world, and in just 7 months they hit more than 15,000 targets.
The need for small and maneuverable UAVs became apparent, and in December 2023, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced that Ukraine needed at least 1 million drones. The Ministry of Defense has named drone production as one of its priorities for 2024, and the head of the Ministry of Strategic Industries, Oleksandr Kamyshin, clarified that in addition to FPV drones, it is about medium and long-range drones – over 100 km and over 1,000 km, respectively.
In addition, following a meeting of Ukraine’s partners in the Ramstein format in February of this year, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said that the North Atlantic Treaty Organization countries plan to provide Ukraine with another 1 million drones by 2024. And Ukraine immediately offered to buy Ukrainian-made drones with this money.
Drones make it possible to compensate for not always accurate artillery strikes by replacing them with more targeted UAV strikes on vulnerable areas of enemy equipment or simply on the occupiers’ manpower.
The production of one FPV drone is much cheaper than the production of one artillery shell. For example, NATO noted that the cost of one artillery shell used to be about $2,000. When the demand for shells increased after 2022 due to Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, prices jumped to more than $8,000.
Compared to expensive shells, drones, which can be equipped with an RPG ammunition or just a hand grenade, are much cheaper and often no less effective.
According to Kamyshyn, Ukraine is capable of producing more than 10,000 medium-range attack drones and more than 1,000 UAVs with a range of more than 1,000 kilometers by 2024.
The first full-scale drone war
Types of drones
Combat unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) can be classified according to various characteristics: the purpose of using drones in war, flight range, payload weight, available mechanisms, etc.
Drones themselves are of two types: airplane and helicopter.
The principle of classification can be understood from the name: aircraft models are based on wing carriers that provide the drone with a high and long flight over long distances. At the same time, helicopter (copter) drones are equipped with propellers, which allow UAVs to be smaller in size, not requiring a runway or additional means for takeoff, and instead take off from a place.
UAVs can be divided into three categories based on the type of application:
- for reconnaissance and surveillance;
- armed with missiles or bombs (attack drones), as well as kamikaze drones;
- Combined drones, which can conduct surveillance and, if necessary, attack a target.
It is wrong to say that there is only one important type of drone. They all have their own important function.
For example, a reconnaissance drone informs about the situation on the ground, coordinates infantry and equipment, and can also work in conjunction with attack drones. A strike drone directly strikes the enemy, and combined types of drones can perform these two functions simultaneously.
How drones help in war and what is known about drone production in Ukraine
In September 2023, US Deputy Secretary of Defense Kathleen Hicks announced the acceleration of the Pentagon’s Replicator initiative, which involves the increased use of artificial intelligence on the battlefield. She called it a “game changer” in national security. As part of this program, the US military plans to deploy thousands of autonomous weapons systems in various fields over the next 18-24 months.
However, the Replicator project is just the tip of the iceberg. The rapid development of artificial intelligence is leading to the emergence of a new generation of lethal autonomous weapons systems that can identify, track, and attack targets without human intervention.
Drones with autonomous capabilities and artificially intelligent munitions are already being used on the battlefield, including in the Russian-Ukrainian war, from homing UAVs that select targets based on certain characteristics to autonomous drone swarms.
It’s easy to overlook the revolution in artificial intelligence that is taking place in parallel behind the armies of “combat robots” that may be possible in the future. Even today, the war between Russia and Ukraine is sometimes referred to as the “first full-scale drone war” because it was these hostilities that became a turning point for states’ understanding of drones and artificial intelligence.
As an example, in January 2024, Forbes wrote that former Google CEO Eric Schmidt launched a project called White Stork (in honor of the white stork, the national bird of Ukraine). As part of the project, Schmidt wants to mass-produce cheap, disposable kamikaze drones that will use artificial intelligence for visual guidance.
Such drones will be able to operate in the context of the Russian-Ukrainian war, where GPS signals are jammed almost everywhere on the frontline. The exact tactical and technical characteristics of the drones are currently unknown, but it is noted that they will carry a small amount of explosives and will be able to fly at a speed that will be difficult to shoot down. The preliminary cost of the White Stork drones will be $400.
In general, the lessons that different countries have learned from Russia’s war against Ukraine show that relatively inexpensive drones can deprive the enemy of an advantage at sea or on land. Just think of the Russian Black Sea Fleet, which actually lost to Ukrainian naval drones.
The situation is similar in the air. Thus, as of early 2024, there are experimental versions of combat drones that can, for example, engage in air combat with the enemy, but at the same time, they do not require a person inside.
Examples of such drones include the Kratos XQ-58 Valkyrie, Bayraktar Kızılelma, or AVIC 601-S.
As for the copter drones, efforts are underway to develop so-called aircraft carrier drones, which can carry a number of other UAVs that are dropped in a certain area, and the “aircraft carrier drone” communicates with smaller UAVs.
This list of innovative technologies and drones is not complete, as different countries have their own classifications and experimental versions of drones that are either not put into operation or not publicly demonstrated.
What drones are used in the war with Russia
As of December 2023, it was known that the Armed Forces of Ukraine and other units involved in the war with Russia were using about 70 models of different UAVs for different purposes.
More than 20 different types of UAV ammunition are used in the use of these drones.
In general, today the Ukrainian Armed Forces have both long-range UJ-26 Beaver barrage munitions that can hit at a distance of up to 800 km and American Switchblade munitions that are used within a radius of 10 to 40 km.
The most common today are FPV attack drones, which are either converted from civilian UAV models or assembled by volunteers or even soldiers on the frontline.
Tsvyakh, a Ukrainian platoon commander with the 411th Separate Battalion of the BpAK, who served in both eastern and southern Ukraine during the full-scale war, says that today there is a need not so much for high-tech drones as for UAVs with simpler technologies, such as drones with thermal imaging or night vision.
Tsvyakh explains that the diversity of unmanned aerial vehicles at the front has forced both sides of the war to change their tactics and logistics.
– That is, all movements, both on our side and on the enemy’s side, due to the large number of UAVs, are usually made in the dark. Therefore, a sufficient level of kamikaze drones with thermal imaging cameras or night vision cameras is needed for a better defeat,”
he says.
At the same time, Tsvyakh adds that he has also dealt with more technologically advanced UAVs, such as aircraft carrier drones that can carry other drones. However, these technologies are still under development on both sides of the conflict and require modifications.
What are the drones armed with?
As for the weapons used by various unmanned systems, the situation is more complicated. Today, there are many different types of explosive devices carried by UAVs. Some drones, such as the Iranian-Russian Shahed-131/136, have 40-50 kg of explosives built into their bodies.
At the same time, more technologically advanced UAVs, such as the MQ-9 Reaper or Bayraktar TB2, can carry a variety of weapons: from Hellfire anti-tank missiles or AIM-9X anti-aircraft missiles to various types of bombs, including high-precision ones, such as the JDAMs supplied to Ukraine.
In turn, more primitive but no less important drones, such as conventional FPV drones, can carry from 1 to 4 kg of explosives, depending on the tactical and technical characteristics of the UAV.
For example, the commander of a separate platoon of the 411th Battalion of the BpAK says that a variety of explosives that can be attached to an FPV drone are common along the frontline. These can be conventional hand grenades, RPG-7 rounds, or various “dummies” filled with plastic explosives that can be modified depending on the task at hand.
For example, cumulative shells will be more effective for destroying enemy armored vehicles, while hand-held fragmentation grenades will be more effective for destroying enemy manpower.
– The range of ammunition for FPV drones is quite wide. There is no single standard ammunition, but anything that fits the FPV bill can be modified. In fact, it’s any ammunition that the drone will pick up, depending on its performance,”
he explains.
At the same time, the serviceman with the call sign Tsvyakh adds that not all drones hit the target, and even if they do, it does not always mean, for example, that the equipment is disabled.
– “A 50% hit rate out of all the drones fired by the crew is already a good result. When it’s 70%, we can say that this is a high level of professionalism of the crew,” he adds.
However, the average hit rate for FPV drones is between 30% and 50%, Tsvyakh concludes.
How to become a UAV operator in Ukraine
During Russia’s full-scale war against Ukraine, many projects have emerged that either teach how to assemble drones at home or teach how to operate these UAVs. Today, there are both paid and free courses.
One of the largest volunteer projects that teaches how to assemble 7-inch FPV drones at home is Victory Drones.
Piloting: how to become a drone operator
To learn how to fly drones, you need, first of all, a desire. Today, you can download a variety of FPV drone operator simulators to your computer, where you can hone your UAV skills with a remote control.
You don’t have to buy a relatively expensive and professional remote control like the Radiomaster TX12 for practice. You can get by with cheaper equipment, such as a controller from BetaFPV. Of course, you can also control the simulator with a Playstation or Xbox controller, but these gamepads have a completely different structure that differs from the professional remotes used to control real FPV, so experts do not recommend gaming controllers for training.
To work with a real, not virtual, FPV drone, you will need not only a remote control but also FPV glasses (sometimes called a helmet). The selection of both the remote control and FPV glasses is individual, although different models may have different advantages. The aforementioned E-Drone YouTube channel will help you choose a helmet or controller.
However, this can also be done at real FPV training courses, where instructors will give you tips and give you the opportunity to try out different drones, glasses, and remotes.
Most drone operator training schools are paid for civilians and free for the military.
How long does it take to become a UAV operator
The duration of training – both drone assembly and piloting – depends on the courses you choose.
Each of the schools has its own training standards: some of them want you to be able to assemble one working drone and receive a certificate, while others want to teach you not only how to assemble a UAV but also how to fly the required number of hours while directly piloting the drone. Only after completing the training do they give you a certificate.
Victory Drones told ICTV Fakty that today their FPV drone assembly course has been transferred to the Prometheus online platform for convenience, and the duration of the theoretical part of the training is about 8 hours of lecture material.
The actual assembly of an FPV drone can take from several days to a week.
– It’s about 8-9 hours of intensive work, so it all depends on how much time a person is willing to spend on it per day, says Anna, Victory Drones’ communications manager.
“Delays in completion also affect the speed, as sometimes the absence of a part can slow down the process.
– The first drones usually take longer to assemble, and with experience, the assembly speed increases, explains Anna.
How much money do you need for inventory and supplies
Photo: Getty images
In general, to assemble the simplest but most effective UAV, it takes up to $500. This includes both components for the drone itself and tools, such as a soldering iron, as well as the necessary consumables.
The assembly of an FPV drone, which can be assembled by anyone after completing the appropriate courses, includes the following basic parts:
1. Frame
2. Motor
3. Stack (this is a flight controller + speed controller)
4. VTX video transmitter
5. Video antenna
6. Camera
7. RX radio receiver
8. Propellers
9. Mounts for batteries (straps)
10. Battery It is from these components that the budget versions of FPV drones, which are widely used on the Russian-Ukrainian front, are assembled.
The Victory Drones project, which trains both civilians and military personnel to assemble, maintain, and operate drones, offers an assembly kit for about $430.
Difficulties that can arise when assembling drones
Victory Drones representative Anna says that civilians assembling FPV drones after completing the course is certainly not without its nuances, but the process itself is “not very difficult.”
– The most difficult part is selecting the right hardware and software to meet the needs of the military. This part of the work is taken care of by our team, because the assembly is done according to a unified scheme developed by our qualified engineers,” she says.
Anna adds that when assembling the drones, soldering is the most difficult task for newcomers, as people without experience need to get the hang of it. That’s why Victory Drones engineers recommend practicing on training boards first, so as not to spoil the parts.
In addition, there are algorithms for good soldering for Victory Drones course participants to check themselves against.
– During the training, participants are encouraged to share photos and videos of their products at every stage so that our instructors can spot mistakes during the assembly process and participants can correct them themselves,” she explains.
Before handing over the FPV drone to the military, Victory Drones specialists conduct additional tests and weight tests.
Victory Drones says that more than 80% of the drones assembled by civilian participants in Victory Drones courses have passed the test, showing excellent working condition.
– This is a remarkably good rate, considering that for many this is their first experience. Some required some modifications, and about 10% failed to fly out of the box, she says.
Defective or improperly assembled drones are handed over to military pilots who undergo professional training as part of Victory Drones projects.
– “After that, the drones remain with the military and are used for their intended purpose,” says Anna.
In his turn, the platoon commander of the 411th separate battalion of the BpAK, call sign Tsvyakh, says that the number of defects in drone components is usually not high.
He also confirms that most of the assembled drones are tested before they are sent to the front.
– “If it is, say, some small production, and not just a drone assembled in the kitchen, then an honest and good manufacturer will check their product before sending it to a combat unit,”
the military says.
However, the assembled drone is only part of the success, as its customization is equally important.
– You can solder it perfectly, choose good and high-quality components, but it will be poorly calibrated. Therefore, even if it flies, it will not be able to squeeze out all its potential power,” explains Tsvyakh.
How to join the fundraising for drones for the Armed Forces of Ukraine
Many Ukrainians on the home front have a desire to help the Defense Forces in the field of unmanned systems, but due to various circumstances, they may not be able to assemble drones themselves or learn to become UAV operators.
Today, there are many different charities, volunteers, and organizations that support this industry, which allows Ukrainians to contribute to the support of the unmanned Ukrainian army.
The Victory Drones volunteer project, mentioned in this article, is one of them. It raises funds for technological training and education of the Ukrainian military. To support this project, follow the link.
The specialists of the Dronarnia project, which was also mentioned in the article, are collecting material and technical assistance for the development of the project. You can support them by following this link.
There is also a state fundraising platform United24, created at the initiative of President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. It collects money not only for airborne UAVs, but also for sea and other drones. You can follow the link to the project.
BF Gurkit, GO Greencubator and Fakty ICTV are collecting to provide 10 mobile fire groups of air defense. Follow the link to help the defenders.
And remember, there are no small donations. Every hryvnia is important!
Text by Ilya Nezhyhai, Design, photo by Oleksandr Shatov