A demonstration of UAS technologies from seventeen Ukrainian manufacturers took place recently, focusing on drone swarm capabilities for group missions and precision-guided munitions. Organised by the Ministry of Strategic Industry, with cooperation from Brave1 and support from the Ministry of Defence, the Ministry of Digital Transformation, the General Staff and the National Guard of Ukraine, the event aimed to assess the readiness and potential impact of these solutions on frontline operations.
Herman Smetanin, Minister of Strategic Industries, commented on the importance of collaborative efforts across agencies to enhance product development:
“This kind of joint interaction will make the presented solutions as effective as possible on the front line. Swarms of drones are an advanced technology that will allow the military to stay not one, but several steps ahead of the enemy,” said Smetanin. “We are working on the quantity of such products, but quality must come first. The defence industry must provide the armed forces with the products they really need. The most effective, relevant products, designed for the conditions in which military operations take place. To help manufacturers achieve this, we organise such events.”
The challenge for counter-UAS
The event featured live demonstrations of drone swarms, in which seven manufacturers showcased solutions for autonomous group missions that require minimal operator input. Drone swarm technologies are increasingly relevant for counter-UAS strategists, as they allow attackers to overwhelm C-UAS defences in many cases. Layered defence strategies that utilise a range of effectors help to mitigate this issue, but it only takes one hostile drone getting through to strike a high-value target.
We have seen systems such as high-powered microwave and RF directed energy weapons developed with the intent of countering drone swarms. These systems emit electromagnetic signals across a broad area to disrupt UAS systems, but are limited due to their relatively short range.
Testing to save lives
Drone swarm technology was tested for operational viability in simulated combat environments. Additionally, ten companies demonstrated guided munitions of varying weights, including munitions dropped from over one kilometre in altitude with measurements taken for deviation from target coordinates.
Anna Hvozdyar, Deputy Minister of Strategic Industry, highlighted the objective of reducing human risk on the battlefield by integrating drone technology into high-risk operations:
“Our goal is to help the Ukrainian military save lives. We aim to replace humans with drones wherever possible, especially in high-risk situations. This is already happening, with drones carrying out combat and reconnaissance missions and helping with medical evacuations. Therefore, we are actively working to improve these solutions, making them smarter and more effective in the hands of our armed forces,” she stated.
Manufacturers received additional feedback from end-users, as military personnel observed the technology’s performance, offering recommendations for further refinement. Technical representatives from the SAR Research Institute and the State Research Institute also collaborated with developers on standards for testing and certification, aimed at streamlining the path from development to deployment.
Post Image Credit: Ministry of Strategic Industries of Ukraine
