Military & combat UAV’s have now become a vital asset of any military operation. As seen in current times, UAVs have the capability to tip the tides of battle at a fraction of the cost of what conventional military operations, all while a pilot is controlling the UAV(s) from the safety of a control room miles away from the area of conflict. Without a doubt, UAV’s have become a quintessential part of both defensive and offensive conflicts. The US Naval forces have shot down dozens of Houthi one way attack drones and the larger Shahed-136 drones which cost USD2,000 and USD20,000 respectively. However, the surface to air missiles being used to intercept these drones can cost up USD2.1 million and the growing cost is starting to be of a concern.
The effectiveness of UAVs in the modern warzone cannot be emphasized more as also seen in the Russo-Ukrainian war. In January 2024, Ukraine launched multiple drones that flew 1250km and a causing massive damage to one of Russia’s biggest gas processing plants. As a result of the attacked, the plant suspended operations and only resumed operations at partial capacity nearly a month later. The same Ukrainian drones also attacked a Russian military plant that manufactures air defence systems severely hampering Russia’s war effort. Given how accessible commercial drones are, militaries have resorted to ‘jerry-rigging’ civilian drones with war heads and using them as suicide drones given their effectiveness and low cost.
With the advancement of AI, sensor and weapons technology, drones can now traverse further distances while being undetected and at the same time being able to carry and deliver deadly payloads. The 2nd Annual Military UAV Technology conference will discuss the advancement and development of UAV technologies to maximize the potential of military assets. Tune into insights from military leaders & subject experts on how they innovate and adapt their UAV platforms to gain an advantage in real world combat and military operations.
