With more and more nations relying on advanced technologies, when it comes to the military sector, there is no surprise that the sector develops at an ever-increasing pace, creating both tactical and strategic advantages. AI-equipped drones now provide new opportunities to help military troops by delivering support or information more quickly. The performance and efficiency scores of military drones are sky-high due to the integration of artificial intelligence.
There are three primary categories of military UAVs, classified by altitude and autonomy, each carrying out specific tasks.
Small and easily transportable by soldiers in the field, tactical UAVs primarily assist troops by providing intelligence in a restricted geographical area. This intelligence reduces risks to soldiers' lives as they remotely operate the drones from behind the lines.
For example, the American army uses tactical drones during combat in urban areas. In such environments, soldiers face what is known as "the fatal funnel," the risk involved when breaching a building without knowing what lies inside. Tactical drones can locate enemies or traps during a team's progression on the ground and adjust artillery fire based on the information collected.
2. MALE Drones: Medium Altitude Long Endurance
MALE UAVs, also known as MALE RPAS (Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems), fly at medium altitudes, are invisible to the naked eye, and have long flight autonomy. Remotely operated by ground-based operators, they are used for intelligence missions (detecting enemies) or strike missions within a much larger radius than tactical drones. During its intervention in Afghanistan, the U.S. Army equipped its MALE drones, such as the Reaper drone, with weapons systems.
3. HALE Drones: High Altitude Long Endurance
HALE drones, the size of small aircraft, fly at the stratospheric boundary (18,000 meters above sea level) for about 36 hours. HALE drones are not equipped with missiles due to the complexity of firing from such altitudes. Instead, their main mission is intelligence gathering. HALE UAVs offer the same functions as satellites in terms of image analysis but can remain over a given area for permanent surveillance and be repositioned quickly if necessary.
In 2020, the piloting of these MALE and HALE class UAVs was automated only for limited functions, with full teleoperation by ground agents, except for autopilot functions.
Now, they can function autonomously, driven by Artificial Intelligence.
AI in drones primarily revolves around computer vision, an aspect that allows drones to interpret visual information from their surroundings. This is achieved through AI algorithms, particularly neural networks, which enable drones to detect and recognize objects, patterns, and anomalies. AI-equipped drones can autonomously navigate through complex environments, avoiding obstacles. Advancements in AI and machine learning models also allow drones to adapt their operations based on collected data, enhancing their efficiency.
These capabilities are crucial in scenarios such as search and rescue missions or monitoring hard-to-reach areas. In the military domain, AI-powered drones have become indispensable. They play crucial roles in reconnaissance, surveillance, and combat scenarios. AI allows drones to operate in challenging and high-risk environments, performing reconnaissance missions without exposing human operators to danger. As mentioned earlier, algorithms enable drones to operate autonomously, make decisions based on real-time data, and execute complex maneuvers. These drones can adapt to changing battlefield conditions, which can save lives and protect human soldiers from injuries.
Noah Sylvia, a specialist at the Royal United Services Institute, notes that "they now need no satellite links; they're entirely self-reliant."
The War in Ukraine exemplifies, how significant such a technology can be. AI-equipped drones are used for surveillance, intelligence gathering, and direct combat. As The New York Times unmistakably stated, "The pressure to outthink the enemy, along with huge flows of investment, donations and government contracts, has turned Ukraine into a Silicon Valley for autonomous drones and other weaponry."
Taking into account interviews with Ukrainian entrepreneurs, engineers, and military units, there is a vision of the near future where swarms of self-guided drones can coordinate attacks, and machine guns equipped with computer vision can automatically target and neutralize soldiers.
Still, the development of AI algorithms for military drones is a significant research and development area. For example, as far as improving object detection and enhancing autonomous navigation are concerned. Apart from that, more advanced and unconventional creations, such as hovering unmanned copters armed with machine guns, are also in development.
By utilizing AI algorithms, drones can scan areas, detect anomalies, and engage in complex missions such as surveillance, reconnaissance, and search and rescue operations autonomously. With that in mind, AI-powered drones are becoming integral to our technological landscape, especially in military areas, where they have the power to save lives.