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:
- Interceptor Drones
- Video 5th SFG(A) UAS Training
- Three-Day Drone Flight
- Project Flytrap
- Sea Drones for Taiwan Contingency
- Waging War in the Drone Era
- U.S. Losing the Drone War
- Cartel Members Learn Drone Techniques in Ukraine
- Export of Ukrainian Drones
- China-Russia Drone Alliance
- Solar Powered Attack Drones
Interceptor Drones
Many of the Russia drones that are targeted against Ukrainian cities and civilian infrastructure are destroyed prior to reaching their intended target by “interceptor drones”. The interceptor drones are effective against the Shahed drone that is propeller driven – as it is slow and can be destroyed in the air. However, Russia is now developing a version of the Shahed drone that has a jet engine. These drones, because of their flight speed, will be more difficult to intercept. The Ukrainians are ramping up their production of intercepter drones, hoping to manufacture 1,000 intercepter drones a day. They will have to jump ahead in the technology front to cope with the jet-powered Shahed drones in the coming months.
One company that will be providing interceptor drones is U.S.-based Swift Beat, LLC. (United24 Media, July 4, 2025) The Ministry of Defense of Ukraine has signed a long-term agreement with the firm for the production of drones. The company specializes in AI-integrated UAVs and has established a presence in Ukraine. The CEO of Swift Beat, Eric schmidt, was formerly Google’s CEO from 2001 to 2011. During a mass drone attack numbering in the thousands it would be difficult for intercepter drones, each individually piloted by an operator, to counter the incoming swarm of drones. However, a swarm of interceptor drones may be able to do that task if it used artificial intelligence tied to an over-arching command and control system.
U.S. and Drones
Video – B-Roll Footage of 5th SFG(A) UAS Range. Soldiers from 5th Special Forces Group (Airborne) conducted a three day UAS range at Fort Campbell, Kentucky on July 29- 31, 2025. The training was to test the capabilities and effects of different types of drones and explosive ordnance for future military operations. https://www.dvidshub.net/video/972459/b-roll-footage-5th-sfg-uas-range
More Data Training Needed. Project Flytrap is a counterdrone exercise in Europe where the U.S. Army is learning to incorporate drones into tactics, techniques, and procedures (TTPs). Preliminary findings from the exercise indicate that senior leaders – lieutenant colonels and above – need training on how to manage the huge amount of data collected in a drone-heavy environment. Flytrap, lasting five months, included about 40 organizations and 450 participants from industry. About 300 drones of 12 different types were involved in the exercise. “Senior officers need more data training, Army counterdrone exercise suggests”, by Lauren Williams, Defense One, July 31, 2025.
Sea Drones for Taiwan Contingency. The US Navy wants an integrated fleet of swarming unmanned surface vessels fielded in 18 months. The intent is to deter Beijing without triggering a war. The contract specifications will likely call for vessels that are affordable and scaleable. However, some naval ‘experts’ say that the plan has some deficiencies. “US going all in on sea drones to deter Taiwan war”, by Gabriel Honrada, Asia Times, August 1, 2025.
Waging War in a Drone Era. James Patton Rogers, the Executive Director of the Brooks Tech Policy Institute at Cornell University, is interviewed on how the battlefield has changed with then use of drones. He describes how drones are used in two levels. The first is the tactical battlefield use where drones drop munitions or are driven into the trenches of soldiers on the ground or against tactical vehicles. The second is the use of long-range loitering munitions used against strategic targets or infrastructure in Ukraine’s cities. The drones has ushered in a continued war of attrition with very slow movement in terms of advances or gains on the ground. “How are drones changing what it means to wage war?”, NPR, August 3, 2025.
Three-Day Drone Flight. A U.S. Navy solar-powered unmanned aerial system conducted a 73-hour continous flight. The Skydweller UAS conducted this flight while maintaining communications, autonomous operation, and responsiveness to weather conditions. The Skydweller UAS is designed for wide-area, persistent surveillance. “U.S. drone completes three-day unmanned flight trial”, UK Defence Journal, August 3, 2025.
Miniature Aircraft to Counter Drones Wanted. The Army wants to have small planes that Soldiers can carry and send airborne to intercept and destroy attack drones. While sophisticated and costly counter drone measures are still needed, the Army is looking for cheaper alternatives that can be mass produced. “Army Seeks Information about Miniature Aircraft That Can Take Out Drones”, by Hope Seck, Sandboxx, July 28, 2025.
Losing the Drone War. American military doctrine is stifling innovation in drone warfare. Although it was the world leader in drone development and employment it has lost the edge in this new generation of drones. Smaller and cheaper drones are proving to be very effective on the battlefield and countries like Ukraine, Russia, and Israel are way ahead of the United States in this field. The U.S. military services need to put aside their desire for big pricey systems, update its military doctrine, and fix the long-standing problems associated with procurement processes. “How to Lose the Drone War”, Foreign Affairs, July 31, 2025.
Drones and the Ukraine – Russia Conflict
Cartel Members Acquire Drone Skills in Ukraine. Obtaining hands-on experience in how to employ FPV drones as weapons in Ukraine could radically speed up the learning curve for Mexican drug cartels. There are reports that cartel members have joined Ukraine’s International Legion. Drones are currently being used in inter-cartel fighting in the coast west area of Mexico. “Cartel Members Fought in Ukraine to Learn FPV Drone Skills: Report”, The War Zone, July 30, 2025.
MEDEVAC by Drone and Electric Bikes. A new method of medical evacuation from the battlefield is developing as a result of the Russian invasion of Ukraine. A soldier isolated and wounded was recently rescued when a drone dropped an 88 pound electric bike to him. It took three attempts to do the operation. The first drone carrying the bike was shot down and the second drone failed because the bike was too heavy. “Ukrainian Soldier Rescued Behind Enemy Lines by Drone-Dropped Electric Bikes”, The War Zone, July 31, 2025.
Russia’s Drone Empire. The Russians were initially behind in the use of drones in the Ukraine Russia war. However, they are now outpacing the Ukrainians many aspects of drone warfare. The Russian government has developed a far-reaching and multi-level approach to the development and production of drones and may soon be a world leader in the export of drones. “Behind attacks on Ukrainian cities, Russia is building a drone empire”, by Linus Holler, Defense News, July 31, 2025.
Export of Ukrainian Drones. NATO nations need the technology that Ukrainian drone producers have; but a de facto ban on exporting weapons abroad is in the way. “Mega deal or no, Ukraine’s wartime drone tech seems poised to get to NATO militaries”, by Kollen Post, Breaking Defense, July 31, 2025.
China Russia Drone Alliance. The two countries are expanding their cooperation as engineers from both sides work to produce lethal drone technology. Russia, with the support of its foreign partners, is making rapid advances through a coordinated state strategy and massive research and development investment. The use of radio-controlled drones is being curtailed by new types of electronic warfare. Russia has been compensating for this EW advancement by shifting toward fiber-optic drones and AL-enabled targeting. “The Booming China-Russia Drone Alliance”, Center for European Policy Analysis (CEPA), June 4, 2025.
Drones Around the World
Solar Powered Attack Drones. Cheap solar panels are now being used to to keep first person view drones powered up until an opportune time to strike a target arrives. “Solar-powered ambush drones can wait for targets like land mines”, New Scientist, July 29, 2025. (subscription)
Terrorist Drone Use in Africa. Nina Kurt provides an article on the employment of drones by violent extremist and terrorist groups in Africa. Among the groups using drones are al-Shabaab, Islamic State, JNIM, ISWAP, and others. “Weaponized Skies: The Expansion of Terrorist Drone Use Across Africa”, Global Network on Extremism & Technology, July 30, 2025.
Sudan’s Safaroog Drone. Sudan’s Military Industry Corporation unveiled its latest drone – the Safaroog one-way attack unmanned aerial vehicle. It was showcased at the International Defence Industry Fair (IDEF) 2025 held in Istanbul in July. This new drone will be a valuable asset for the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) in their fight against the Rapid Support Forces (RSF). “Sudan’s Safaroog drone debuts at IDEF 2025”, Military Africa, July 28, 2025.
Baltic States Prepare for Russian Drone Threat. Baltic airpace is being violated by drones crossing the border from Russia and Belarus. The drones are apparently launched to test military readiness, evaluate defense readiness, and create anxiety as a part of Russia’s hybrid warfare doctrine. “Flight Risk: Baltics Scramble to Counter Hybrid Drone Threat”, by Eitvydas Bajarunas, Center for European Policy Analysis (CEPA), July 31, 2025.
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Image. ChatGPT.
