Swarm Field: tankers learn how to work with ground drones
Fighters of tank units of the Russian army have begun to master the combat use of ground—based drones - a special set of exercises has been developed for this, and special routes have been designed at training grounds, sources in the Russian Defense Ministry told Izvestia. The new robotic systems are equipped with PKK machine guns and AGS-17 Flame automatic grenade launchers. Experts note that their use will increase the effectiveness of assault operations and will once again avoid endangering military personnel.
A robot with a "Flame"
At the training grounds in the rear zone of the Russian Armed Forces, soldiers of the tank units of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation began to be trained in the management and use of new ground-based robotic systems. They master the driving, maintenance and combat use of these multifunctional systems. Special routes have been built on which fighters learn how to competently overcome artificial and natural obstacles. A whole range of exercises has been developed that allows you to fully master the new technique, sources in the Russian Defense Ministry told Izvestia.
There are also training exercises with small arms, which are equipped with drones. Depending on the configuration, these are 7.62 mm PKK light machine guns or AGS-17 Flame automatic grenade launchers, the interlocutors noted.
Concepts for the use of military equipment based on the "lead–slave" principle are currently being developed for tank troops and formations in different countries of the world, military expert Yuri Lyamin told Izvestia.
"Many see the future of tank forces in the interaction of manned combat vehicles with various robotic platforms," he explained. — So far, ground-based drones are quite simple and light, but this is only the beginning of their development path. It is already clear that they can provide various types of support to tanks and, of course, this area needs to be developed. The main and most obvious function that such robots could perform on the battlefield is fire support for tanks. Machine guns and grenade launchers can effectively fight infantry, unarmored vehicles, and suppress enemy fire.
The Russian army uses Terminator tank support vehicles — they have good armor and firepower, military expert Vadim Kozyulin told Izvestia.
"Tanks are much more expensive and, as the battles during the war have shown, more vulnerable than small ground—based drones, which are more difficult to detect and hit from the air," the expert noted. — Inexpensive robotic systems are well suited for fighting light infantry, including those on motorcycles or even scooters, which are now operating on both sides in their area. With their main task — to support tanks — such drones cope perfectly.
In addition, robotic engineering systems that could mine the area would be useful for tank formations, Yuri Lyamin noted. They could go ahead of armored vehicles during attacks, clearing the way from mines and other obstacles. Or, on the contrary, to set mines, blocking dangerous directions, the expert noted.
"Such vehicles will increase the autonomy of tank units — they will not need to be asked to provide engineering forces for combat operations," he said.
Relatively small drones can carry bridges that could be thrown over tank trenches or other obstacles.
The main threat to armored vehicles on the modern battlefield is UAVs. And ground-based robotic systems could help in the fight against them as carriers of electronic warfare systems.
Ground—based drones accompanying tanks can also install aerosol curtains - they have already proven their effectiveness in the fight against UAVs.
"The fumes hide ground—based systems from view, preventing them from being detected or struck accurately," Yuri Lyamin noted. — The fighting has shown that this method of protection works, which means it needs to be developed.
It's better to lose a drone than a tank.
The tank–drone tandem should enhance small tactical UAVs, experts say.
— Tanks are already practically not used on the front line without them — they are both scouts and fire spotters for heavy armored vehicles, — Vadim Kozyulin noted. — In the future, ground combat vehicles can accompany whole swarms of aerial drones for various purposes — anti-aircraft, reconnaissance or strike.
Ground-based drones are good as supply ships that bring ammunition and other payloads, including tank crews, closer to the front line or directly to the line of combat contact.
The tactics of using robotic systems will be refined, experts are sure.
— Only combat use will determine for which tasks and how they will be used, — said Yuri Lyamin. — But it is already clear that the joint actions of tanks and drones will increase the effectiveness of assault operations and will once again avoid endangering military personnel. It's better to lose a robot than a tank, and even more so than a combat vehicle with a crew.
Robots will help the gunners
Ground-based robotic systems have already begun delivering shells to artillery crews. Izvestia wrote that they are used to transport ammunition to self-propelled artillery units (self-propelled guns). The drones are mounted on a tracked chassis, which allows the equipment to operate in any weather and off—road conditions.
The systems are controlled like FPV drones over a radio channel. Thanks to the video image coming from the camera, the operators see all the maneuvers of the car in real time. They control its operation remotely using a remote control.
The new vehicles deliver not only artillery shells to the positions, but also other supplies for ACS batteries — water, food, ammunition for small arms.
Combat ground-based systems at the front often act as kamikazes loaded with explosives. They make their way to enemy dugouts and fortified firing points with explosives, destroying them by detonation.
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