AI Can Handle 100 Drones at a Time!
Image Credit: Jacky Lee
Ukraine is at the forefront of a technological revolution in warfare, with several startups developing advanced artificial intelligence systems designed to drive large fleets of drones. These innovations are pushing the boundaries of modern combat, introducing AI into the battlefield in ways that have never been seen before. As Ukraine faces increasing challenges from Russian signal jamming and electronic warfare, the deployment of AI-powered drones is seen as a critical step forward in maintaining a strategic advantage on the front lines.
Navigating the Battlefield with AI Vision and Swarm Technology
The development of AI drones in Ukraine is primarily focused on two key areas. The first involves creating sophisticated visual systems and terrain-mapping software to help drones identify and lock onto targets with high precision. These systems enable drones to navigate complex environments and execute missions with minimal human intervention. The second focus is on more advanced programming that allows drones to operate as interconnected swarms. This swarm technology enables groups of drones to work together, coordinating their actions in real-time to maximize effectiveness and minimize risks.
Swarmer: Pioneering Connected Drone Networks
One of the companies leading this charge is Swarmer, which is developing software to connect drones to a network, allowing entire fleets to execute decisions instantly under human oversight. According to CEO Serhiy Kupriienko, managing a fleet of 10 to 20 drones is beyond the capacity of human operators alone. However, AI can handle the complexities of coordinating hundreds of drones, making autonomous operations feasible on a large scale. Swarmer’s system, named Styx, is designed to command both air and ground-based drones, with each drone capable of independently planning its actions while anticipating the movements of others in the swarm.
The Role of AI in Ukraine’s Military Strategy
Since the onset of the Russia-Ukraine conflict, over 200 Ukrainian tech companies, many founded by IT professionals with civilian backgrounds, have joined the effort to develop drones and other devices to resist Russian aggression. While human operators struggle to control more than five drones simultaneously, AI systems like those developed by Swarmer can manage fleets of hundreds, providing Ukraine with a significant tactical advantage.
Ethical Concerns and the Human Element in AI Warfare
Despite the potential of AI-powered drones, there are significant ethical concerns regarding the use of such technology in warfare. Samuel Bendett, a researcher at the Center for a New American Security, warns that AI drone control systems may still require human involvement to prevent errors in target selection. The ethical implications of “human-less” weapon systems have been widely debated, with a 2020 European Parliament study warning that these systems could violate international humanitarian law and lower the threshold for engaging in conflict.
Ukraine’s Current Use of AI in Long-Range Drone Strikes
Ukraine has already begun using AI in long-range drone strikes against Russian targets. In some operations, up to 20 drones are deployed, with a core group of attack drones flying directly at the target, while others destroy or disrupt air defense systems along the way. To achieve this, Ukrainian forces use AI under human supervision to assist in target identification and route planning, ensuring precision and minimizing collateral damage.
The Growing Importance of AI in Electronic Warfare
As both Ukrainian and Russian forces continue to deploy electronic warfare (EW) systems to disrupt signals between pilots and drones, the urgency for AI-driven drones has become even more pronounced. In the near future, it is anticipated that drones will operate entirely independently of human pilots, without any direct connection between the two. This shift underscores the critical role AI will play in future military operations, not just in Ukraine but globally.
Source: Yahoo! News
