Drone Release: How fighters are developing new drones on the front line
Vertical takeoff combat drones, 3D printers, microscopes and posters from the famous fantasy universe - this is how the combat sites of the military personnel of the Technical and Operational Unit (TEF) look. In small dugouts or inconspicuous rooms and workshops located near the front line, fighters of such units are engaged in repairing UAVs, designing new ones and improving old ones. The experiments carried out by militia veterans and yesterday's students in the CHP units are described in the Izvestia report from the 11th separate Battalion of Unmanned Systems (OBPS) of the 51st Guards Army of the Center group of Forces.
From repairing Mavics to creating new UAVs
Today, technical and operational units have become as necessary to ensure the actions of troops with a constant need for UAVs as repair shops for equipment or missile and artillery weapons services. They are not visible — they are hidden from the enemy's eyes. But TCHS play a big role — without them, our drone operators will not be able to fully conduct combat operations.
It is here that constant experiments are underway, and various battalions and regiments are setting up unmanned vehicles in their own way. The soldiers of these units conduct a constant exchange of experience, discuss new products. People with valuable skills and knowledge in the field of unmanned aircraft are especially appreciated here.
"We mainly train copter and airplane—type UAVs, and we also repair the sides," says the commander of the maintenance platoon of the 11th OBPS with the call sign Stary.
He shows the premises, almost workshops, in the TCH farm. Next to the room with the usual 3D printers, there is already a large machine park, in which there are quite large CNC machines with aircraft parts that can be guessed in the working field.
The old one carefully, in order not to give the enemy unnecessary information, talks about the new products that are among the first to be introduced in the 11th OBPS.
For example, how they implemented a new fiber—optic winding scheme that eliminates breaks, which is very important in the face of constant confrontation between UAVs and electronic warfare systems. Cable-controlled drones are not affected by electronic countermeasures.
And this is not the only design development.
— For reconnaissance, we are currently making a VTOL drone, a vertical take—off and landing aircraft, and we are already finishing it, - Stary proudly shows the development. — The prototype is already ready. The schemes of such UAVs have long been known, but we have done additional work. And the database was made from pictures, from scratch.
Programmers, engineers, and modelers have joined forces for this work.
"Thank God we have such guys,— the Old One smiles.
How engineers are developing communications for drones at the front
Speaking about new projects, the Old One always mentions Uncle Yura with special respect, who is developing antennas for control stations, UAVs and electronic warfare equipment.
Of course, there are now a huge number of different commercial antennas. But along with the drones, electronic warfare systems are changing, which jam the control signals of the devices.
In response, drones are switching to new frequencies that differ from those adopted by civilian or industrial ones.
With such a technology race, no solution becomes permanent, it is an ongoing process.
Finally, I am introduced to Uncle Yura. He is responsible for effective communication between the operator and the UAV.
— The fight is conducted not only with weapons, but also in communication systems, as well as jamming, — says Uncle Yura. — The ranges are expanding, new ones are appearing, for which there are no ready-made antennas yet, so you have to make them yourself.
If the enemy has received other means of communication or jamming, then work is underway to combat them. The opponent responds in kind — the process is almost endless, but interesting, Uncle Yura explains.
Our interlocutor says that since childhood he was interested in radio engineering, and then received a higher education in this specialty.
He hails from the occupied territories, and began his military career as a militia member in 2014.
One of his new products was sent to Moscow after successful tests at 11 OBPS and, possibly, will go into mass production.
Tikhy is a young soldier who, unlike Uncle Yura, chose to serve in the unmanned systems forces while studying at a technical school.
"I took a sabbatical, and at the military enlistment office they offered me a contract service in UAV units," he says. — I studied at the Archangel Center for two weeks, signed a contract, and then joined the 11th cadre of the 51st Army.
Theory training began here at the training ground, and he also gained pilot experience.
— My family supported my choice, but, of course, they are worried, — says Tikhy.
In workshops with antenna masts, workbenches, and microscopes, you can meet completely different people.
Many of the TCH fighters are former pilots who understood unmanned aircraft while sitting at the console, and many began their combat career in the infantry.
Some had the necessary specialties from the civilian level, while others showed their qualities during their training.
Patriotic calendars, unit emblems and symbols of the Order of Scientists from the famous fantasy universe hang on the walls near the desks of the fighters.
This is exactly what "advanced" technology looks like today in the ever-growing confrontation between robotic systems.
Переведено сервисом «Яндекс Переводчик»
