In The News

Samuel Bendett says, “I have seen both claims since the MoD wants to promote this as an AI-enabled wonder weapon.”

Samuel Bendett says, “Before Russia’s invasion of Ukraine started, the use of commercial quadcopters was fairly widespread in many conflicts around the world, including the Middle East.”

Samuel Bendett says, "An AK-47 is almost 70 years old at this point, and has changed little. Simple submachine or machine guns have remain unchanged as well, like the M2 Browning still in use."

Samuel Bendett says, “Ukraine is not done for, but the ideas coming from on top, the military leadership, indicates that Ukraine needs to adapt to a very different approach to combating Russia, especially given the situation it finds itself in with the relatively stable stalemate. “

Samuel Bendett says that both Moscow and Kyiv are racing to find ways of operating their own drones during harsh weather conditions, like wind and sleet.

Samuel Bendett says, “Rather than investing in more expensive combat capabilities, this shows it is cheaper to buy a drone and hope it either hits something or your enemy expends resources shooting it down.”

Samuel Bendett says that more fighting is taking place at night as more and more drones enter the fight.

Samuel Bendett says, "The recipe for a breakthrough is extremely simple. Increase the number of FPV drones by 4 times and concentrate them on a small area of the front. After the supplies and deliveries stop in a week, it will be simply possible to pick off the tired soldiers without much difficulty. And most importantly, to implement such a scenario, very small financial and time investments are needed."

Samuel Bendett says, “The Ukrainian battlefield is saturated with aerial sensors that basically track and attack anything that moves. That includes other robots.”

Samuel Bendett says that both Russia and Ukraine are developing UGVs intended to "replace human soldiers in the most dangerous and casualty-intensive storming raids."

Samuel Bendett says, "Russia boasted of having layered defenses before the war, the sensor electronic warfare, different missile batteries, kinetic batteries, radars, that can sort of identify and interdict the threat."

Samuel Bendett says, “That recoil is going to be very powerful, stabilizing this kind of drone can be difficult, and getting an accurate strike can be problematic. But if you are looking for a less accurate airborne hit, then this can potentially be appealing.”

Samuel Bendett writes, Since the start of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the use of AI for military operations has been one of the most debated topics across public media and the open-source literature. But for all the praise Ukrainian innovation has garnered, there is too little recognition of how effective Russia’s more reckless approach to AI has been.

Samuel Bendett says that although Ukraine had initially dominated FPV manufacturing in 2023, Russia has ramped up its programs and sent large numbers of the unmanned vehicles to the front lines.

Samuel Bendett says that Russian military Telegram channels sharing concerns about new Ukrainian drone weapons. These can reportedly destroy a fortified dugout in two attacks.

Samuel Bendett says, “The ones that people want – the Lancet and most Orlans – are not available for export, and the ones that are available – KUB loitering munition and Orion – receive a lukewarm reception.”