Drones in Modern Military Combat (Ukraine)

[JRB]

You might wanna follow a little more closely, drones are changing combat in the Ukraine war the way, machine guns changed combat in the Russo-Japanese war and World War I.

The TTPs and equipment have evolved significantly over the last two years.

between video feeds from the drones and video feeds from soldiers wearing GoPro type cameras. It’s all being documented in a first person video format.

FPV “suicide drones, chasing down individuals and individuals trying to hide from the drones can be quite horrifying. In fact, there’s at least one video going around of a Russian soldier being chased by FPV drones, who shoots and kills himself rather than suffer from a drone attack.

It's serious enough that when my commander was talking about current drone threats, he half-joked about telling everyone to bring shotguns and birdshot from home if/when we deploy next.
Then we talked about where and how we'd hide them in our SI conex, and it wasn't half-joking.

[HCM]

It's serious enough that when my commander was talking about current drone threats, he half-joked about telling everyone to bring shotguns and birdshot from home if/when we deploy next.
Then we talked about where and how we'd hide them in our SI conex, and it wasn't half-joking.

[Paul D]

What is a realistic effective range for a shotgun vs a drone?

I'm not a prolific shotgun hunter but I had some experience and limits:

Quail/Doves: 0-40 yds with birdshot and a 26 inch barrel 12/20 GA.
Ducks: 0-50 yds with #7 and a 28-30 inch barrel from a blind.
Goose (only hunted once): 0-75 yds with BB and a painful 3 or 3 1/2 12GA.

The farthest I hit something with a shotgun is with a slug at 100 yds. I have not tried #4 or 00 outside of 50 yds.

Is that Benelli with a 26 inch barrel and #4 and a tight choke really viable? Those films show those drones flying high and fairly fast.

I don't know if there is signal disrupter type device that could interfere with command and control enough to crash those drones. It probably is too heavy and too expensive for a typical trooper.

[Cory]

I would recommend an an instagram page called "conflict observer" for the changing ttp. I've seen multiple videos (as in 10+) of guys taking the self checkout when faced with a drone. The mindset baffles me, but it's obviously very real and prevelent.

I think bunkers drones can't get through are likely the best defense. Think vertical strips like a walk in freezer. Or a poncho. But it would still take a lot time to prep for that.

Trap shooting is maybe 60 yards? I don't shoot trap. Most of my clay pigeon shooting isnt known distance. I know with a 3.5" turkey load will go 70 yards and kill. However, it's passed pushing it. And the recoil makes it ridiculous.

I expect antidrone stuff to become similar to anti air. Shotgun shells that burst like AA, and fighter drones. Or if someone can find a way to signal jam, but that doesnt seem straight forward I guess. Killing the operator is always an option but when they exist at the squad level that's a big ask.

[Guerrero]

You might wanna follow a little more closely, drones are changing combat in the Ukraine war the way, machine guns changed combat in the Russo-Japanese war and World War I.

The TTPs and equipment have evolved significantly over the last two years.

between video feeds from the drones and video feeds from soldiers wearing GoPro type cameras. It’s all being documented in a first person video format.

FPV “suicide drones, chasing down individuals and individuals trying to hide from the drones can be quite horrifying. In fact, there’s at least one video going around of a Russian soldier being chased by FPV drones, who shoots and kills himself rather than suffer from a drone attack.

I had no concept of what you were talking about when I read this. So I Googled it; kind of sorry I did:

https://www.reddit.com/r/DroneCombat...ops/?rdt=49064

[revchuck38]

Drone jamming is a thing. Both the Ukrainians and the Russians do it, the Russians have the edge in this flavor of EW.

[Caballoflaco]

Interesting note on viability of shooting at drones. TL/DR they often don’t operate alone, so when you go to engage one, there may be another waiting for you to do expose yourself.

https://twitter.com/@twitter/status/1831651955766104218

[HCM]

https://www.instagram.com/reel/C_glo...JvM2ZkNnY5cw==

Combat test video of UKR drone with automatic rifle..

[Caballoflaco]

Another advancement in FPVs is drones controlled by fiber optic cable that can’t be jammed with EW and don’t rely on other drones with relay antennas to maintain LOS with the drone. That also means they don’t produce detectable radio signals, which is worrying when it comes to protecting public spaces and large venues.
I bet ya’ll have seen these too @HCM @MTP
https://twitter.com/@twitter/status/1831776498526908596

https://twitter.com/@twitter/status/1831408507444482283

At least one Chinese company has developed some of these as well.

https://twitter.com/@twitter/status/1825416874521182491

[Caballoflaco]

One more on the fiber optic drones. A regular drone would have likely lost its signal upon entering the building.

https://twitter.com/@twitter/status/1832101575634133472