Artificial intelligence-based drones are already operating on the battlefield. Ukrainian defence cluster Brave1 has created a new technological AI solution that increases the effectiveness and accuracy of strikes against the enemy, according to Minister of Digital Transformation Mykhaylo Fedorov.
The mother drone delivers two strike FPV drones up to 300 km away. They are capable of autonomously locating and striking targets, from enemy aircraft to air defence systems and critical infrastructure.
If the distance is less than 100 km, the drone returns for reuse.
The cost of one mission is $10,000. For comparison, launching a missile costs 300–500 times more.
And all this without GPS. The SmartPilot system uses visual-inertial navigation, orienting itself with cameras, while LIDAR only enhances accuracy. Artificial intelligence independently recognises and selects the target.