AI-powered drones to boost Ukraine’s military capabilities

In Ukraine, several startups are advancing AI systems to enhance drone operations, aiming to gain a technological edge in the ongoing conflict. These AI-enabled drones are designed to tackle increasing signal jamming by Russian forces and operate in larger groups, revolutionising modern warfare. The development includes visual systems for target identification, terrain mapping for navigation, and complex programs enabling drones to work in interconnected swarms.

One notable company, Swarmer, is creating software that links drones into a network, allowing for instant decision implementation across the group, with human intervention limited to green-lighting automated strikes. CEO Serhiy Kupriienko explained that AI can manage hundreds of drones, whereas human pilots struggle with more than five. The system, called Styx, directs reconnaissance and strike drones, both aerial and ground-based, with each drone planning its own moves and predicting the behaviour of others in the swarm.

The need for AI drones is increasing as Electronic Warfare (EW) systems disrupt signals between pilots and drones. AI-operated drones could significantly improve hit rates, countering the current drop in strike success due to jamming. The goal is to develop affordable AI targeting systems that can be deployed en masse along the extensive front line, potentially using low-cost computers like the Raspberry Pi. Such advancements could significantly enhance Ukraine’s military capabilities in the ongoing conflict, as seen with their use of Clearview AI’s facial recognition services.