Roughly three years ago, the Ukraine war began as a clash between Ukrainian and Russian forces. Nowadays, battles have developed into battles involving both humans and robots.
This ground-breaking shift toward robot warfare, driven by the recent deployment of AI-enabled suicide drones equipped with machine vision that can autonomously identify and attack targets, has gone largely unnoticed. Perhaps this is due to fatigue from constant reporting on drone warfare and technological advances.
Evolution of drone intelligence
When the war began, roaming kamikaze drones were considered the ultimate battlefield weapon. They use a combination of INS (Inertial Navigation System) and SATNAV (Satellite Navigation) to fly to the target area, use optical sensors to loiter over the target area to acquire enemy targets, and follow orders. You can perform precision attacks or relay targets accordingly. Coordinates of artillery and missile attacks.
Shortly after the war began, adversaries realized that cheap and widely available quadcopter drones could be configured as loitering munitions using FPV (first pilot view) mode of control and navigation.
FPV allows operators to manually fly the drone to a target, eliminating the need to equip the drone with expensive and bulky INS and SATNAV systems.
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FPV drones use LoS (line-of-sight) RF (radio frequency) communication links, which limits their range. A drone’s range is also limited by the battery’s limited storage capacity, so using communication relays to extend range will not work beyond a certain point.
AI and machine vision
As the war continued, drone technology advanced rapidly as both adversaries sought to gain technological superiority. Drones equipped with AI software, computing power, and machine vision were introduced, initially to identify targets.
Later, in addition to autonomous flight capabilities, AI and machine vision began to be used to break through EW (electronic warfare) and attack intended targets and record their coordinates.
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Even in environments where communications or GPS are denied, AI-enabled autonomous drones can pinpoint their location on the ground through machine vision. You can also identify your target. If necessary, you can move out of the jamming area and relay the coordinates of the target.
Two drones recently introduced to the battlefield, one in Ukraine and one in Russia, explain how AI and machine vision are changing the way we think about war.
V-BAT
In May 2024, Ukraine conducted field tests of a large AI-equipped suicide attack drone called V-BAT.
The U.S. defense technology company Shield AI, which developed the drone, recently announced that “Ukraine’s Unmanned Systems Force (USF) We have begun training.” Proven airborne systems (UAS) in electronic warfare environments. ”
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V-BAT, known as MQ-35 in the United States, can complete its mission from start to finish without operator involvement. A single operator can control a minimum of five drones, and the aircraft’s flight path is always generated autonomously and in real-time, rather than being planned by humans.
The cruising range is 500km. In horizontal mode, you can roam over the target area for 10 hours. In contrast, the suicide drones currently available to the Ukrainian and Russian militaries cannot fly more than 100 kilometers and have dwell times of 10 to 15 minutes.
The V-BAT has a payload capacity of 11.3 kg and a service ceiling of 6 km.
The sensor fit consists of an EO/medium wave infrared (MWIR) camera that provides high-resolution imaging across a variety of lighting conditions.
A more detailed analysis of drones can be found here.
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The drone is small enough to fit inside an SUV. More importantly, its vertical takeoff and landing capabilities give the Ukrainians the ability to scoot and shoot. It also has the ability to launch from ships and rugged terrain.
Recently, the Ukrainian military used a kamikaze drone launched from an unmanned boat to destroy a Russian Pantsir AD system hundreds of kilometers away in Crimea. The drone used is believed to be a V-BAT.
“Most recently, V-BAT demonstrated its versatility during maritime operations in the Black Sea, highlighting its value in long-range missions on both land and sea,” reads a SEAL AI press release. It has been stated.
The V-BAT features a single Suter TOA 288 two-cylinder engine that powers a ducted fan. The duct increases thrust by more than 80% with equivalent engine power, allowing for takeoff and landing with a single power plan.
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Russian Obat-S
Russia’s AI and machine vision-based drone capabilities are far more modest than Ukraine’s.
Russia’s Ovat-S drone, often referred to as “Ovod” or “Gadfly” in English, is a first-person view (FPV) suicide attack drone developed to address the urgent requirements of the Russian military.
The drone is equipped with a computer that uses neural network-based AI and machine vision to identify targets. When commanded to attack a target, the drone uses machine vision to track the target.
Machine vision tracking and homing capabilities allow it to operate under GPS denial, control channel jamming, and operate even when low altitudes reduce radio visibility.
This drone is equipped with new and cheaper drone ammunition.
The drone is equipped with remote detonation and self-destruct capabilities. The combat payload weight of the drone is approximately 3.5 kg. The flight distance is approximately 8km. It can cruise at speeds of 150 to 180 km/h and fly for 8 to 10 minutes.
The Ovat-S has evolved based on battlefield use since it was first introduced. Onboard improvements include increased payload capacity and integration of a thermal imaging camera. Initial deployments of drones were noted in combat zones such as Avdeyevka in the Donetsk People’s Republic.
cost comparison
Despite its superior combat capabilities, the Ovat-S is relatively cheap to manufacture. The price of the drone is reported to be between 40,000 rubles and 69,000 rubles, approximately $410 and $710.
The exact unit price of Shield AI’s V-BAT drone has not been disclosed. However, based on the contract below, it is unlikely to be less than $50,000.
In July 2024, the U.S. Coast Guard awarded Shield AI a $198 million contract to provide intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) services using the V-BAT unmanned aircraft system.
In November 2024, Shield AI signed a contract with JSW Defense and Aerospace to manufacture V-BAT drones in India. The agreement includes a $90 million investment for technology transfer, manufacturing facility establishment, and compliance programs to support domestic and international production demands.
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conclusion
The scope of autonomy of Russia’s Ovat-S drone is significant. If the communication link fails after the operator has confirmed the target, the drone will continue the attack.
It is unknown whether V-BAT will continue its attacks as well.
The two drones represent a significant milestone in AI-based warfare.
With no end to the war in sight and Ukraine already short on soldiers, robot participation in the war will only increase as the year goes on.
Vijayinder K Thakur is a former IAF Jaguar pilot, author, software architect, entrepreneur and military analyst. View author’s personal information Follow author @vkthakur
