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BULGARIAN MILITARY
Russia’s news agency reports that budget-friendly, domestically produced FPV drones are now using artificial intelligence to identify targets on the battlefield in Ukraine. According to TASS, which cited a former liaison unit commander with the call sign Kalina, these FPV drones leverage AI to autonomously home in on Ukrainian weapon systems.
“Artificial intelligence is a game-changer because it’s enabling drones to develop systems that can target and detect objects independently. Such technology has started to be integrated into both budget FPV drones and more advanced kamikaze drones used by the Ministry of Defense. These drones are trained to recognize specific targets. For instance, a drone can identify a tank, recognize it, and fly directly towards that target,” the source shared with TASS.
While the use of AI in unmanned aerial vehicles isn’t new, implementing it in budget FPVs marks a significant innovation on the battlefield.
Let’s take a moment to remember that the integration of artificial intelligence in drones is not particularly new. A notable incident occurred in 2020 during the intense military conflict in Libya between pro-government forces and the Libyan National Army led by General Khalifa Haftar. According to a UN report, an autonomous decision by the AI-powered Turkish-made KARGU-2 drone took place during this period.
This drone, designed for surveillance and kamikaze missions, reportedly attacked a Haftar soldier without a direct command. The drone’s AI-powered ‘kill list’ recognition system allegedly identified the target. However, it was later revealed that the system had made an error, as the attacked soldier wasn’t on the list. Business Insider noted that the soldier attempted to retreat and evade the attack.
As per the UN report, there was no requirement for a human controller because the drone operated in a high-performance autonomous mode, indicating reliance on artificial intelligence. The American edition of the New York Post also echoed this observation.
“Lethal autonomous weapon systems are designed to engage targets independently, without needing operator input after launching. This creates a ‘fire, forget, and hunt’ capability,” highlighted a report by the UN Security Council’s Panel of Experts on Libya.
The 2020 event marked possibly the first time in history when a machine autonomously decided to attack a human without explicit instructions. Zach Kallenborn, a national security consultant in the US with deep expertise in unmanned aerial vehicles, co-authored this revelation in the UN report.
This incident deeply concerned Kallenborn, as it underscored the precarious nature of autonomous systems and hinted at a troubling future. Jack Watling, a researcher at the Royal United Services Institute [RUSI], concurs but stresses the urgent need for global regulations to manage these weapon systems.
Regarding Russia’s claim, TASS did not provide additional details about the drone model or any specific instance where the FPV drone targeted a Ukrainian weapon system using built-in artificial intelligence. Russia’s defense budget has funneled substantial resources into both state-owned enterprises and private firms engaged in AI and drone technology. Companies like Kalashnikov Concern and Kronstadt Group have received significant funding to advance the development and production of AI drones. This funding is part of a broader initiative to modernize Russia’s military and maintain technological parity with leading global forces.
In recent years, the Russian government has also ramped up funding for AI research institutions and partnerships with academic organizations. These efforts aim to foster innovation and speed up the development of cutting-edge AI technologies for military uses, including drones. The focus on AI in the defense budget highlights Russia’s dedication to leveraging advanced technology to enhance its military capabilities.