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Posted on 07/04/2026 9:21:13 AM PDT by Red6
Russia has begun using a new autonomous version of its Molniya strike drone in Ukraine, adapting the cheap fixed-wing attack UAV to hit targets without the control antenna that made earlier models vulnerable to electronic warfare, Defence Blog reported, citing an advisor to the Ukrainian Defense Minister Serhii “Flash” Beskrestnov on July 3.
The new variant was identified after a Russian Molniya struck a Ukrainian facility and was later found without the usual antenna used for operator control.
Ukrainian radio technology specialist Beskrestnov said the drone carried only a camera and an onboard computer, suggesting a different strike profile. Instead of requiring a live operator to steer it all the way to impact, the UAV may be able to continue its mission autonomously.
“The UAV had only a camera and a computer. This is where everything is heading. Navigation, target acquisition and the attack will become fully autonomous,” Beskrestnov said.
(Excerpt) Read more at united24media.com ...
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That said, the point of this post:
A while back there was discussion of all these cool gizmo drone "jamming" technologies.
Those will not prove a reliable and lasting method.
This was foreseeable.
It is a game of cat and mouse, but in this case technology favors the drone, meaning that in this game of trying to defeat drones with jamming etc. the drones will likely win, not just for the Russians, but everyone.
I suppose you can still target the internal electronics (cook it), or the guidance system (blind or confuse it), with some sort of directed energy weapon or area system messing with GPS etc. But again, the tech and battle space favors the drone since they can use GPS, EO, radar, IR, harden these systems (example multiple spectra) or use sensor fusion.
***In the battle against drones, IMHO the focus should be on "destructive" methods.***
No differently than it is hard to defeat an APFSDS.
It's going to be hard to harden drones (weight, cost, size increase), and many of these destructive methods can be cheap if you simply use older tech but upgrade them to be more effective against drones. You need lots and lots of these systems in order to cover the needed area (frontage). The key is adequate numbers flooding the battle space.
The super gizmo billion dollar solution our war industry likes to build won't be the answer.
It'll be a layered defense that includes advanced optics for simple small arms, a anti-drone drone, possibly a return of the SPAAG.
A comeback - but with advanced detection, tracking and engagement systems, newer more effective ammo and guns.
I would strongly recommend making it fiber optic remote operated (200 meters of cable of so). I would not want to put troops in an active emitter like that in today's battlespace.
Sell them to Waymo.
Fixed targets can be hit using their GPS coordinates.
Are there GPS jammers in theater (guess any known frequency is subject to jamming)? And wouldn't such jammers affect friendlies as well as OPFOR?
Everything evolves. The weapons will now focus on frying the electronics that are on board.
Disrupting targeting puts civilians at risk. War crimes charges can be answered with ‘we targeted the missile complex, it’s not our fault it hit the kindergarten’.
If you end up jamming navigation, you end up with what the Nazis had in World War II with the V-1.
The point is that jamming isn't the way to go.
Putting lots of holes in it is.
Jamming will likely work on the LE and civilian side more effectively. But in a battle-space against another military that isn't some third world nation (that has industry and tech), not so much.
“ Instead of requiring a live operator to steer it all the way to impact, the UAV may be able to continue its mission autonomously.”
One step closer to SkyNet….
Where’s the link to purchase one of these? Asking for a friend.
200 meters?
Was that a typo?
They have 5 to 50 kilometer spools in use right now.
There are some remarkable videos of the landscape covered in fiber:
If nothing else, the conflict between Russia and Ukraine is advancing the state of drone warfare by leaps and bounds. Both nations can make a fortune exporting what they’ve learned about drones in this war if they ever stop fighting.
A vehicle like a SPAAG needs a crew nearby to reload it, repair and refuel it, set it up, maybe camouflage it, drive it into position, etc.
That machine also needs “protected” since if it just sits someplace it is itself extremely vulnerable to someone damaging it.
It needs enough spool that when that SPAAG gets hit by artillery, a drone, etc. the crew is out of the kill area. It needs enough spool to where they can find “cover and concealment.”
The goal here is not to make a drone SPAAG because this machine still needs human support to operate, but to make its combat application more survivable for the crew.
OK, make it 500 meters. But the crew should still be able to see the SPAAG and be able to defend it so you can’t just have someone chuck an incendiary grenade or even just a Molotov cocktail on it. You could have any civilian knock that thing out of commission if you don’t keep eyes on it.
But that’s just my opinion.
Can AI driven drones be far behind?
We’ve had autonomous navigation for over 4 decades. Of course, it is easier to do, now.
Future battlefield is going to get increasingly lethal and increasingly unmanned.
Massing forces simply possible in the Ukraine now (for several years) as ISR is too all-seeing, and concentrations invite rapid drone response.
And so it's devolved into 'penny packets' of men on motorbikes, etc. trying to infiltrate and waiting for their turn to be on the wrong end a drone.
That’s what these are.
Hence, jamming some command loop ain’t gonna work.
You can still try to somehow fry the electronics, or dazzle a sensor, but the advantage in this EW cat and mouse game is to the drones advantage.
***BUT, it’s hard to defeat lots of little holes being punched through that thing.***
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