In The News

Samuel Bendett says, “The Middle East is already dealing with the drone threat and the growing sophistication of drone attacks in many countries. There is an emphasis on having cUAS tech address threats from large, medium and small drones, both military grade and those made from commercial technologies. Its a safe long-term assumption that the cUAS market in the Middle East is going to grow.”

Michael Kofman says, “What I see in that military is that it's just very uneven. It's very uneven because there are folks that have come from civilian life and some have had a bunch of training and some had very little."

Samuel Bendett says, "The whole point is cost. These are extremely cost effective."

Samuel Bendett says, “Over decades, non-Russian high-tech systems and technologies became more advanced and really have become industry and global standards. So, a Russian military, as well as its civilian economy, have become dependent.”

Samuel Bendett says, “Ukraine made an operational decision to strike at Russian logistical and supply lines, supply chains, facility warehouses, etc., to really try and degrade Russian forces stationed at the front. This is a long-term project. The results will not be visible right away, but we are seeing some spectacular successes.”

Samuel Bendett says that it is difficult to define "winning" despite Ukraine's apparent success in striking "deep into Russia's heartland."

Samuel Bendett says that Russian state media have also reported that residents working in the financial district are now staying home, rather than venturing into the area.

Samuel Bendett says, “The Ukrainian defense industry is learning and adapting very quickly.”

Samuel Bendett says, “Both sides are leaning heavily on FPV-type drones — light, portable, kamikaze, expendable systems. There’s a need, right now, for a large number of FPV-type drones. But there’s also a need to advance that development further out, beyond just the immediate line of contact, to where these drones can strike in the rear.”

Samuel Bendett says, “They are making gains indeed, and this is that very difficult stage of attritional warfare where both sides are trying to gain advantage. Again, we have discussed before that Russians have established massive amounts of fortifications along the front to slow down the Ukrainians. And on some parts of the front, that set of fortifications has been successful, and the Russian tactics have been successful.”

Samuel Bendett says, “The fact that drones were able to strike means that air defenses were not functioning that well, or if we are to believe the Russian defense ministry, they were actually intercepted by electronic warfare. Instead of downing them somewhere else they basically veered off course.”

Samuel Bendett says, “The push design is probably more amenable for better sensor packages because nothing is obstructing the view from the sensor. This also reduces drag. It makes it easier to fly against resistance like wind and other natural phenomena.”

Samuel Bendett says, "Since many countries in South America do not have large military budgets, they may opt to procure UAVs they think can best fit their requirements, such as relatively low costs and significant combat potential."

Samuel Bendett says, “With tens of thousands of people going through drone training on both sides of this war, it is very likely that this experience is spreading far and wide, including to nefarious actors.”

Samuel Bendett says that at present the FPV production is completely decentralized and none of it is coming through the Ministry of Defense’s official procurement process. “For now, the FPV drones are delivered by multiple self-initiated and volunteer efforts.”

Samuel Bendett says, “The overarching theme here is Putin trying to reassert his power, reassert his control after his system was briefly challenged in June.”