INFORMATION BASES OF APPLICATION OPTIONS UNMANNED AERIAL VEHICLES (UAVS) OF THE FPV TYPE AND COUNTERING THEM IN COMBAT CONDITIONS

In the provisions of the scientific work, the study conducted by the authors examines the information bases of options for the use of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) of the FPV type and counteraction to them in combat conditions. The authors determine that the use of UAVs of various types on the battlefield has a significant advantage or no alternative at all compared to manned vehicles, namely: the possibility of continuous aerial reconnaissance in the interests of tactical command and control units; the possibility of long-term (24 hours) monitoring of large areas at considerable distances from the control point to obtain real-time operational information. An important characteristic trend of modern combat is the massive application of strikes using ‘barrage’ munitions (‘kamikaze drones’), FPV drones and attack UAVs, which are used to hit targets both at short distances (up to tens of kilometres) and hundreds of kilometres. The systematic use of these types of weapons has largely levelled the relative security at the “front and rear”, demoralised the enemy, and significantly disrupted logistics and control of troops. It is the technological development of FPV drones and related components for their intended use (increased range and flight time, payload weight, increased resistance to enemy EWS, the ability to use in conditions of limited visibility (at night), an increase in the range of ammunition used, the introduction of artificial intelligence for target acquisition, the creation and scaling of specialised training centres for UAV operators) that has led to an increase in possible uses (new tactics) and and expansion of the range of tasks performed with their help. As a conclusion, the authors note that the constant combat duty of drones in the air has led to decentralisation and reduction of troops on the front line. It is worth noting that the basic tactics of defensive combat, which used to be a platoon, are now being handled by a squad. Where there used to be a ‘squad stronghold’, there are now three ‘holes’ of 2 men each. Both sides seek to minimise the movement of combat personnel. One ‘armour’ can involve up to a dozen UAVs, or ‘birds’ as they are colloquially known, and 2-3 drones will be involved in the pursuit of a soldier. In the combat zone, reconnaissance drones, bombers and FPV teams are on standby in their respective sectors in shifts, some searching, some striking. Thus, technical development, the use of new tactics and the adoption of FPV drones to the modern battlefield have led to a significant expansion of the range of combat missions they perform. The demand of combat units for trained and experienced FPV drones exceeds the supply on the ‘war market’. The innovative development of this type of weapon will undoubtedly entail the search for and implementation of new technical solutions and methods of counteraction (electronic, optical, mechanical, etc.), and will lead to the creation of separate structural units for both their use and counteraction. At the same time, in the near future, certain elements of countermeasures will affect every soldier in combat units. The authors note that the ‘competition’ in the ‘drone-anti-drone’ category is just beginning.