Drone Warfare
Drone warfare is a significant aspect of modern military strategy, involving the use of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) or unmanned combat aerial vehicles (UCAVs) for various military operations. These drones can be remotely controlled by pilots or operate with varying levels of autonomy, making them versatile tools in military operations.
Historical Context
The early 21st century marked a pivotal era for drone warfare, notably utilized by the United States military during the War on Terror. The use of drones was particularly widespread in Afghanistan, Libya, Pakistan, Somalia, Syria, and Yemen, where they were primarily used for targeted strikes involving air-to-surface missiles.
Types of Drones
Drones come in various sizes and serve multiple functions:
- Small Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (SUAVs) and Micro Aerial Vehicles (MAVs): These are man-portable drones, useful for low-altitude, short-range support operations.
- Unmanned Combat Aerial Vehicles (UCAVs): Also known as combat drones or fighter drones, these UAVs are equipped to carry and deploy weaponry.
Military Applications
Drones are primarily used for intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition, and reconnaissance (ISTAR) operations. They facilitate direct attacks on targets as part of a kill chain or through manned-unmanned teaming. Larger drones can act as "motherships," deploying smaller sub-drones or being equipped with electronic warfare features, such as signal repeaters.
Loitering Munition
A specific type of drone, known as a loitering munition, or "suicide drone," is designed to loiter in an area before striking a target. These drones are equipped with warheads and can be used for precision strikes.
Global Proliferation
The 2010s and 2020s saw rapid proliferation of drone warfare beyond the United States. Countries like Azerbaijan, China, Iran, Russia, Turkey, and Ukraine have increasingly utilized drones in their military operations. For instance, both Ukraine and Russia have relied on electronic warfare techniques to counter radio-controlled drones during the Russo-Ukrainian War.
Training and Innovation
Institutions such as the BSF Drone Warfare School in India provide specialized training for operating drones. Additionally, innovations like the drone carrier concept aim to create small naval vessels capable of conducting drone warfare independently of large carrier strike groups.