The question is: how do you target russian artillery—20-30 miles from the front line
Presumably the reason that so many more russian tanks have been taken out than artillery —is because the russian tanks have to get closer to the front line than the russian artillery.
Something needs to spot and radio back the coordinates for the russian artillery in real time. So the uke artillery counter battery can take out the russian artillery.
Presumeably long range reconnaissance was the job of the Turkish Bayraktar TB2. They could fly the distance that little hand held drones could not fly. Those hand held drones dropping grenades are all over the internet. But they can’t fly more than a mile or two. So the Ukes need the Longer range drones to spot the russian artillery far behind the russian lines.
The problem was that early in the war the russians figured out how to shoot down the Turkish Bayraktar TB2. They had mobile radar systems that would track them and send their coordinates to whatever ordenance they used to shoot them down.
Then this past summer there were reports from the Kherson region that ukes had learned how to take out the mobile radar systems. Once the mobile radar systems were destroyed—then the Turkish Bayraktar TB2 could be brought back into the battle space for long range reconnaisance-—presumably to take out artillery.
But that story died. The ukes are not taking out russian artillery at scale. This is a mystery. Why? Because the ukes have artillery that’s capable of precisely hitting the russian artillery. And they have the range.
Where is the problem?
You do not understand the difference between a dedicated artillery drone and an ordinary drone (no matter it’s other capabilities).
First: a dedicated drone is run by and for the artillery unit and cannot be taken away, nor can the data be given to other units - lest other units demand mission data and subvert the drone’s dedicated purpose.
Second: such a drone needs to be able to feed real time data directly to the artillery unit - such that on receiving the data, the operators need only press the fire button.
Third: the drone must have long range, long endurance, be easily launched under any weather conditions - including below freeing, and easily recovered, be cheap to manufacture (< US$10,000), have interchangeable parts which can be switched out for any similar part from any parts manufacturer.
The UA and the US do not have such a drone, nor any answer.
Here’s and overview from War in Ukraine, July 3 2022 (edited):
••Orlan-10 overview
Why it is cheap deadly effective weapon. Wings made from carbon plastic hard to detect by radar. Gasoline powered. Flies for 16 hours and can fly in cold to -30C. Small, light, cheap to make. Distance signal can travel 120km to Msta 2C19 Long Range SPG, seek out high value targets like all the western artillery: HIMARS, Krabs, Caesars, etc.
Actually cost is US$6-7,000 with equipment another $20,000. So $40,000 for the unit, The remainder is profit for manufacture and RGF. Make 200-300 a year - used in wide range of areas, not just military. Flies up to 5000m (3 miles) altitude so is expensive to shoot down.
Excellently engineered product for the job. Catapult launched and parachute landed, super easy to disassemble and so to repair - can cannibalize broken ones to make a new one; parts from different commercial manufacturers are easily interchangeable from the engine to the electronics. No military grade parts. Coke-A-Cola cap can be used for gas tank cap. Expendable UAV.
Orlon-10 has direct integration with Orc artillery in real time, artillery had digital pad and the new numbers are quickly punched in - 46 sec to 1m 15 sec to correct fire.
Now there is the addition of the Orlan-30 which is a night flier with IR capability.