By the way, Shahed and Orlan don't require much in terms of aerodynamics, just to stay airborne at the low speeds needed. Production and operating cost seem to be more important than a refined aerodynamics (beyond 100-120 km/h, then you need a better aerodynamic shape - heck, the F-4 Phantom II was ample proof that, with enough thrust, you can fly anything :-) )
I am a little surprised that UA isn't using frequency hopping radios, these are much harder to jam. These are even available in the civilian market, if you need these. And I would expect large units adding OneWeb receivers into their communication arsenal, as Starlink substitutes?
Regarding aerodynamics, he was comparing them to Ukrainian drones and noted that better aerodynamics translates to greater range for the same power. Shahed and Orlan drones meet all their operational requirements, whereas Russia is a much bigger country and extended ranges will be very useful.
Ukraine is still in the process of integrating militias and ad hoc units into a single army. Both training and equipment are not standardized and it was a large effort simply to provide communications equipment that provided interoperability and encryption, features that were lacking for many units. SINCGARS is the US encrypted and frequency hopping tactical radio and costs about $6500. I don't know all the details and costs of requirements, such as range, durability, encryption standards, etc., but any new equipment implementation would have to be widespread. With all the reforms and standardization needed, I don't know where this lands on the list of priorities.
Starlink is now considered a reliable partner. Ukraine is mitigating risks by utilizing other systems, as well.
"Other commercial satellite companies provide Ukraine internet connectivity from space, including Viasat, OneWeb, SES, Iridium, Inmarsat, Eutelsat, and Avanti. 17 Vi- asat, OneWeb, and SES are all working to build more capacity, including through new constellations and new agreements with Ukrainian telecom operators."
Drone warfare in Ukraine is improving quickly. A year from now it will be a nightmare, with hundreds if not thousands of automated hunter killer drones wizzing around day and night.
Thanks for another great report about the Wild Hornets, Don! This is very appreciated. A few small clarifications for your readers: Wild Hornets are a Ukrainian nonprofit drone-maker that is 100% donation-funded. Dmytro, quoted in your report, is a cofounder of the organization.
Wild Hornets currently don't yet produce 5,000 drones a month (there was an error in the original story you cited), but this is the goal the team hopes to achieve as donations grow. The team currently makes 1,500-2,000 drones a month. The only real bottleneck is the amount of donations.
Thank you for all your weeklies. Best wishes.
Thanks for the report.
By the way, Shahed and Orlan don't require much in terms of aerodynamics, just to stay airborne at the low speeds needed. Production and operating cost seem to be more important than a refined aerodynamics (beyond 100-120 km/h, then you need a better aerodynamic shape - heck, the F-4 Phantom II was ample proof that, with enough thrust, you can fly anything :-) )
I am a little surprised that UA isn't using frequency hopping radios, these are much harder to jam. These are even available in the civilian market, if you need these. And I would expect large units adding OneWeb receivers into their communication arsenal, as Starlink substitutes?
Regarding aerodynamics, he was comparing them to Ukrainian drones and noted that better aerodynamics translates to greater range for the same power. Shahed and Orlan drones meet all their operational requirements, whereas Russia is a much bigger country and extended ranges will be very useful.
Ukraine is still in the process of integrating militias and ad hoc units into a single army. Both training and equipment are not standardized and it was a large effort simply to provide communications equipment that provided interoperability and encryption, features that were lacking for many units. SINCGARS is the US encrypted and frequency hopping tactical radio and costs about $6500. I don't know all the details and costs of requirements, such as range, durability, encryption standards, etc., but any new equipment implementation would have to be widespread. With all the reforms and standardization needed, I don't know where this lands on the list of priorities.
Starlink is now considered a reliable partner. Ukraine is mitigating risks by utilizing other systems, as well.
"Other commercial satellite companies provide Ukraine internet connectivity from space, including Viasat, OneWeb, SES, Iridium, Inmarsat, Eutelsat, and Avanti. 17 Vi- asat, OneWeb, and SES are all working to build more capacity, including through new constellations and new agreements with Ukrainian telecom operators."
https://www.airuniversity.af.edu/Portals/10/AEtherJournal/Journals/Volume-3_Number-1/Dickey_Gleason.pdf
Cierto lo del Phantom II, es un ladrillo volador supersónico.
Drone warfare in Ukraine is improving quickly. A year from now it will be a nightmare, with hundreds if not thousands of automated hunter killer drones wizzing around day and night.
Thanks for another great report about the Wild Hornets, Don! This is very appreciated. A few small clarifications for your readers: Wild Hornets are a Ukrainian nonprofit drone-maker that is 100% donation-funded. Dmytro, quoted in your report, is a cofounder of the organization.
Wild Hornets currently don't yet produce 5,000 drones a month (there was an error in the original story you cited), but this is the goal the team hopes to achieve as donations grow. The team currently makes 1,500-2,000 drones a month. The only real bottleneck is the amount of donations.
Find out more on the Wild Hornets website: https://dykishershni.com/en.html and Twitter page: https://x.com/wilendhornets
Why they have no money from UA government?
Don, thank you
Thanks Don these reports were very interesting and informative all 4