The HUR special unit FERRATA is testing a system to manage complex combat operations involving artificial intelligence, ground robotic systems and maritime drones.
The development was described by the commander of the naval detachment of the “Black Sea Legion”, part of the HUR MoD FERRATA active operations unit, call sign “Ninth”, on the Ukrainian Jenny meets podcast.
According to him, the unit is creating a unified command-and-control framework that will allow a command post to coordinate different types of unmanned systems and synchronise their actions with troops on the ground. This is not simply about using individual drones, but about having them carry out different stages of a single combat operation. “Ninth” stresses that the unit is trying to move away from the concept in which an unmanned aircraft is used primarily as a one-off strike weapon.
A separate focus is maritime operations. Under FERRATA’s concept, a group of unmanned vehicles could eventually force a vessel to stop, take control of it and escort it to a Ukrainian port. One vehicle could monitor the deck, another could control the airspace, while other systems would carry out supporting tasks.
FERRATA is not disclosing the exact characteristics of the new system, its name or technical specifications. It is known that individual modules are already undergoing trials, including in real combat missions.
As a reminder, Ukrainian companies MAC HUB and Sky Defenders plan to integrate unmanned systems into the Katran family of maritime drones.
“We already have clear objectives; now we will be able to reach the enemy at a distance of two thousand kilometres. The plans include strikes on the coastguard, the destruction of Russian radar systems, their air-defence systems, command personnel and critical infrastructure,” said “Ninth”, commander of the “Black Sea Legion” unit of Ukraine’s Ministry of Defence Main Intelligence Directorate.