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Drones in Modern Warfare

Lessons Learnt from the War in Ukraine

Abstract 

Drone operations have added a new chapter to modern warfare. In Ukraine, uncrewed aerial systems (UAS) have become an important weapon to gain an asymmetric edge over Russian forces. The lessons learnt from the use of UAS in Russia’s war against Ukraine are almost innumerable and extend from the individual soldier level to tactical, strategic and government levels. This paper summarises highlights from the first evidence-based research on the lessons learnt from the use of UAS to date in the war in Ukraine, drawing on both Ukrainian and Australian expertise. 

Overall, multi-domain and cross-domain uncrewed systems (UxS) represent a transformative advance in military technology, reflecting significant investment and development worldwide. As nations continue developing and deploying these systems, it is crucial to understand their implications and integration into Australian tactics, techniques and procedures (TTPs). By maintaining an accelerated cycle of innovations and learning from Ukraine, nations such as Australia have the opportunity to stay ahead of their adversaries, ensuring that they are prepared to meet contemporary and future strategic challenges during conflicts.

One lesson from the war in Ukraine remains clear—uncrewed systems are disrupting the way modern warfare is being fought, and rapid technological adaptation and continuous innovation in UxS will be critical in future warfare. This paper provides recommendations for the Australian Defence Force (ADF) to understand both the opportunities and the limitations that drones bring to inform future doctrine, training and planning, as well as future investments in these technologies that can have an asymmetric effect on the battlefield. 

 

About the Author

Dr Oleksandra Molloy is a Senior Lecturer in Aviation and Aviation Program Lead at the School of Science, the University of New South Wales (UNSW) Canberra, Australia. She has a PhD in Aviation from UNSW, Australia; a MSc in Human Factors from the University of Nottingham, UK; a Master of Education and Linguistics from the Central Ukrainian State Pedagogical University, Ukraine; a Graduate Research Certificate from Kirovograd Flight Academy of National Aviation University (Ukraine); and a Diploma in Aviation Safety from International Air Transport Association (IATA; Canada). Dr Molloy also serves as a Vice President of Education at the Advanced Air Mobility Institute (USA), Chair of the Human Factors Ergonomics Society Training Technical Group (USA), and a Chair of the Women in Road Safety Network (Australia). Dr Molloy is a research trailblazer and award-winning leader who conducts multi-disciplinary and collaborative research in human factors, transport safety, and training. Some of the recent research in uncrewed systems led by Dr Molloy include investigating lessons learnt from the use of UAV/C-UAV in the war in Ukraine and developing AI-assisted approach to support situation awareness and cognitive load for Mission Aircrew.

Cover of OP 29 - Molloy - Lessons Learnt from Ukraine

Publication Date

Publication Identifiers

ISSN (Print): 2653-0406
ISSN (Digital): 2653-0414
DOI: https://doi.org/10.61451/267513