Below the reader will find recent news about unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) that are used in conflicts (Ukraine, Africa, etc.), new developments in drone use, and training by militaries for using drones during combat operations. Curated articles on the topics below are provided:
- First Person View (FPV) Drones
- PSYOP and Drones
- C-UAS and Sensor Fusion
- Ukraine and Drone Techonology
- Russia’s Drone Production
- China’s Wingman Drones
- PRC Concepts for UAV Swarms
- North Korea’s Drones
- Taiwan’s Drone Production
- Medical Delivery in Latin America
- Denmark Buys four MQ-9B SkyGuardian Drones
First Person View (FPV) Drones
First Person View (FPV) drones are unmanned aerial vehicles equipped with a camera that transmit live video to a pilot on the ground, allowing them to control the drone as if they were onboard. The pilots typically wear goggles (or use a monitor) to view the real-time feed. They rely on a combination of onboard cameras, video transmitters, and ground-based receivers enabling precise control at high speeds.
In the Russia-Ukraine conflict, FPV drones are used by both Russian and Ukrainian forces for reconnaissance, precision strikes, and psychological warfare. These FPV drones enable operators to conduct time-sensitive surveillance, identify enemy positions, and attack targets (personnel, tanks, bunkers, etc.) with explosives, often using low-cost kamikaze drones that crash into targets. Their affordability – sometimes costing less than $500 – allows them to strike with precision, disrupt logistics, and target high-value assets deep behind enemy lines. The small, inexpensive FPV drones have significantly altered battlefield dynamics and contribute to a high percentage of casualties, especially on the Russian side.
U.S. and Drones
PSYOP and Drones. The topic of military influence operations and cognitive dynamics are discussed in this article about the psychological impact of drones on the battlefield. The UAVs are taking a growing mental toll on both soldiers and civilians. Drones can be used for purposes well beyond just kinetic strikes. They can create distraction, displacement, immobilization, conditioning, and more. The U.S. needs to investigate the strategic potential of drones for influence operations. J.D. Maddox explores this phenonomen in “It’s Time to Think About (and Fear) Drones and Psychological Operations”, War on the Rocks, July 24, 2025.
C-UAS and Sensor Fusion. The DOD must come up with two critical solutions to counter drones. One is to develop a command-and-control (C2) system for all services and the second is to implement a network architecture to share the sensor data from the tactical to the strategic levels. Major Anthony Padalino is the executive officer in the U.S. Army chief technology office where he takes part in the planning and execution of Army transformation priorities – to include counter-UAS. He prescribes five recommendations for the DOD to take immediate action on. “Frontline Fusion: The Network Architecture Needed to Counter Drones”, Modern War Institute at West Point, July 23, 2025.
Rewrite of U.S. Military Tactics. The DOD, through its Defense Innovation Unit (DIU), is increasing it focus on development and testing of combat-ready drone technology – spurred on by events in the Ukraine – Russia War. Ukraine has become a proving ground for next-generation drone warfare. The drone operators face daily threats from electronic jamming, signal loss, and tactical demands on the battlefield. Much U.S. testing is being done in Alaska – with its remote regions, minimally populated airspace, and fewer GPS concerns. “How Ukraine’s Drone Tactics Are Rewriting US Military Strategy in Real Time”, United24Media, July 28, 2025.
Squad Level Drone Proficiency. Benjamin Reed, a veteran of Afghanistan and Iraq, served as an infantryman and drone operator in Ukraine. He writes on the importance of integrating drone training at the squad level. “Infanteering in the Drone Age”, SOFREP, July 28, 2025.
Drones and the Ukraine – Russia Conflict
A Coming Drone Storm. Russia is now just steps away from having the capacity to launch thousands of drones at the same time in a single coordinated strike that would completely overwhelm Ukraines entire air defense system. Moscow now produces about 2,700 Shahed drones each month, however, its production of drones is increasing each month. There are estimates that Ukraine could face seven times more drone attacks in 2025 than it experienced in 2024. In addition to quantity, the Russians are also improving the quality of their drones. Ukraine needs western assistance to defeat the ever increasing drone threat from Russia. “Russia built Ukraine’s drone storm over three years – 2025 is when it finally breaks”, Euromaiden Press, July 25, 2025.
Russia’s Drone Production Increases. The expansion of Russia’s production of Shahed-type drones is likely to keep growing. Their production capacity has resulted in increased attacks against Ukraine’s cities – now occuring every three to four days – with hundreds of drones attacking at a time. The Ukrainian Main Military Intelligence Directorate estimates that Russian industries can manufacture about 170 Shahed-type drones per day. “Russia seen as boosting combat-drone output, switching attack angles”, Defense News, July 21, 2025.
Chinese Drones Shipped to Russia. A decoy drone recently captured by Ukrainian forces reveal that it is made entirely of Chinese components. The drone, made by CUAV Technology – a Chinese drone manufacturing company – can be used for reconnaissance as well as to drop munitions. The drones have a delta-wing fuselage that is similar to the Iranian-made Shahed-I36 drones. “Fully Chinese-made drone found in Ukraine for first time”, Telegraph, July 23, 2025.
Jet-Powered Shahed Drones? Russia may be sending faster drones into Ukraine’s cities. The Shahed drone is currently propeller driven – thus slow and subject to interception during flight. A jet-powered drone will be much faster and therefore more difficult to intercept before it reaches its intended target. “Ukraine Urged to Prepare for Jet-Powered Shahed Drones”, United24Media, July 28, 2025.
Ukraine Maintains Lead in Drone Technology. As Russia is preparing to mount its summer offensive, the defenders of Ukraine are maintaining their edge in drone technology. Drones are now responsible for most of the Russian deaths on the battlefield, they are assisting in the evacuation of wounded, and they are an important element of the resupply and logistics system for the frontline troops. Currently, more sophisticated counter-drone methods are being researched; to include, FPV-borne lasers that can cut the fiber-optic cables of attack drones. Also on the horizon are FPVs using artificial intelligence, which like fiber-optic cable drones, would not be affected by electronic jamming. “On Ukraine’s Front Line, a Sky Full of Killer Robots”, by Marcus Walker, and Ievgeniia Sivorka, The Wall Street Journal, July 21, 2025.
VEOs and Drones – What is the Future? The war in Ukraine has demonstrated the usefulness of drones in conventional combat. It also has demonstrated that special operations forces can use UAVs with significant results – as seen in Operation Spiderweb in June 2025 where Ukrainian drones positioned in a trailer were launched at Russian airbases deep behind enemy lines. Certainly violent extremist organizations (VEOs) are taking notice. Small drones were first used by terrorists in 2014 by the Islamic State in Iraq. This detailed article by David Hambling explains the different types of drones, how the drones can contribute to the terror threat, and some proposed countermeasures to combat the drone terrorist threat. “Moving Targets: Implications of the Russo-Ukrainian War for Drone Terrorism”, CTC Sentinel, Center for Combating Terrorism at West Point, July 2025.
Drones Around the World
China’s Drones. China is developing and probably ready to deploy drones that will be ‘wingmen’ for manned military aircraft. “China’s New Drone Wingmen Look Set For Military Parade Unveiling”, The War Zone, July 21, 2025. See also “China improves Rainbow UAV capabilities”, Janes.com, July 14, 2025.
China’s Drone Swarms Coming in Future. A report by Timothy Ditter provides an insight into the Chinese defense establishment’s views on unmanned aerial vehicles and the use of drone swarms for both offensive and defensive operations. PRC Concepts for UAV Swarms in Future Warfare, Center for Naval Analysis (CNA), July 11, 2025, PDF, 25 pages.
North Korea’s Drone Program. With help from China and Russia, North Korea has made rapid advancement in its drone development and acquisition processes. This poses a big threat to South Korean and could be a huge factor should a confict ever break out on the peninsular. “North Korea’s Deadly Drone Bonanza is Coming to a Penisular Near You”, War on the Rocks, July 22, 2025.
Taiwan’s Drone Production. UAV exports by Taiwan have grown by nearly 750% in the first half of 2025. The top buyer was Poland – followed by the U.S., Germany, and Czech Republic. The top five buyers made up 97% of the purchases – totaling almost $12 million. The European Union is beefing up its military strength in the face of recent Russian aggression as well as using the drones for border security, homeland monitoring, and anti-drone defense. The EU shift from non-PRC supply chains has allowed the Taiwanese suppliers to gain ground in the European and American markets. “Taiwan’s drone exports soar nearly 750% in H1”, Focus Taiwan, July 27, 2025.
Medical Delivery in Latin America. The Gale Force drone can deliver up to 10 kilograms of medications, vaccines, blood samples, and other medical cargo. The drone uses SpaceX Starlink connectivity and Nvidia artificial intelligence to get medical supplies quickly to remote areas and for first respons or disaster relief. “Medical Delivery Drones Take Flight in Latin America”, Flying Magazine, July 17, 2025.
Denmark Buys Four MQ-9B SkyGuardian Drones. To be delivered between 2028 and 2029, four drones will provide the capability to monitor happenings in the Arctic region. Russia’s presence and activities have been increasing over the years in the Arctic and the acquisition of the drones – which are suited for extreme cold weather operations – will provide ISR for the Arctic region. (Defense News, Jul 23, 2025)
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