Interesting Ways The Military Uses Drone Technology

Drones are a relatively new piece of technology that is quickly proving to be an irreplaceable part of modern warfare. One of the reasons why drones are becoming so popular is their flexibility. 

As it turns out, drones are the perfect multi-tool that every commander wants to have in their toolbox. Join us as we discuss some of the ways military drones are being used today and how they might be used in the future. 

The Ultimate Reconnaissance Platform 

Reconnaissance is an essential part of any military plan on both strategic and tactical levels. Knowing where your enemy is, their numbers, and equipment give you a massive advantage when planning your next move. 

Prior to the invention of drones, reconnaissance was achieved through the use of specialized units, satellite imagery, and other means. While effective, such recon methods weren’t available to low-level commanders. Drones have changed all that. 

Now, even platoon commanders have access to reconnaissance drones. Events in Syria and Ukraine have shown that even commercial-grade drones can be effectively put into recon roles. 

In Syria, this has given guerilla commanders access to remote reconnaissance capabilities. In Ukraine, commercial drones have filled the void left behind by the absence of military-grade drones which couldn’t operate due to a no-fly zone. 

Modern military ISR drones are taking things to a whole new level as far as reconnaissance capabilities go. 

Advanced Weapons Platforms 

It didn’t take long before armed drones appeared on the battlefield. Drones are perfect weapons platforms that reduce the loss of life and allow commanders to engage threats in dangerous parts of the battlefield. That being said, large attack drones such as the General Atomics MQ-9 Reaper are only the first step. 

The future lies in autonomous drone swarms. So far, modern battlefields have seen the use of various loiter munition platform that has proven to be especially deadly in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. Azerbaijan has focused a large part of its offensive capabilities around attack drones, including loitering munitions. It’s fair to say that both of these tools have proven to be instrumental in Azerbaijan’s advances against well dug-in Armenian defenses. 

Loiter Munitions and Short Range Air Defense Systems

One of the more interesting lessons learned from the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict is the effect of loitering munitions and attack drones against air defense systems. We’ve witnessed Azerbaijani drones reaching deep inside Armenian air defense territory, avoiding long-range, but also short-range air defense systems. 

Loiter munitions and small attack drones have proven to be difficult targets for many radar systems. Similarly, loiter munition platforms have proven to be a deadly adversary for short-range air defense systems such as the Pantsir S-1, as seen in Syria.

Drone Swarms – the Next Step in Evolution of Autonomous Aircraft

Individual operator-controlled drones are just a stepping stone to more autonomous and far more deadly drone systems. This year we’ve seen a wave of drone swarm announcements issued by various world militaries. Although this technology is still in its infancy, such news serves as an indicator of intent. 

The benefits of drone swarms are rather obvious. Whether you’re using them as a recon platform or a weapons platform, having a swarm of drones means better efficiency. Several drones loitering in any given area will offer a much better picture of the battlefield and targets on it. 

Needless to say, using a drone swarm adds a layer of redundancy that many field commanders are hoping for.

As far as offensive capabilities of drone swarms go, the U.S. Marine Corps is working on developing loiter munition swarms that would be capable of both manual and autonomous operation. This Corps is essentially looking to develop a flexible platform that would meet all platoon level needs, including reconnaissance and target acquisition. 

Strategic Aviation Drones

The use of drones in strategic aviation has long been the goal for some of the most developed air forces in the world. The USAF has long been working on the development of long-range UCAV, with J-UCAS and N-UCAS being the two most popular projects. 

We are yet to see where this technology will go and how viable it will become in the near future. One thing is for sure, drones have proven their worth on the battlefield. 

The Impact of Drones on Future Warfare 

The use of drones in conventional warfare is promising to completely change the way we fight wars. As drones evolve, world militaries will have to find innovative ways of defending against such platforms, especially once drone swarms become a common sight in the sky.