Currently, the Russian army and Ukrainian army are the most powerful ground combat forces in the world, with combat experience far exceeding that of the Chinese People's Liberation Army and the U.S. military. The ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine for over three years has refreshed many people's understanding of warfare. In the past, many regular armies from major countries believed that quadcopter drones were a low-end form of drone warfare, considering them like toys used by irregular armed groups such as guerrillas. Major military forces did not need to engage in such niche tactics because they had more advanced and superior large-scale drone combat weapon systems. 99% of military experts failed to predict the disruptive impact of FPV suicide drones on tank warfare. The main reason is that civilian quadcopters have some inherent defects; by military standards, most civilian quadcopters fail to meet the criteria. For example, battery performance, endurance, payload capacity, flight in adverse weather conditions, all-weather capability, and resistance to interference. In the Russia-Ukraine War, both sides have mastered the use of quadcopters to an incredible degree, achieving significant results. In fact, the Ukrainian army has even solicited civilian drones and drone operators from society. After exchanging experiences with the Ukrainian army, the U.S. military was somewhat embarrassed. The U.S. military was even looked down upon by the Ukrainian army. For instance, the Ukrainian troops stationed in Germany and Poland openly criticized the U.S. military, believing that their level of applying drones for extensive large-scale information-based operations had fallen behind that of the Ukrainian army. Currently, both sides in the Russia-Ukraine conflict each use one million small drones. How do we deal with this situation? In the whole year of 2024, the procurement of small drones by both sides in the Russia-Ukraine conflict exceeded one million units. As a result, every frontline soldier will have an average of two drones flying overhead at any time. Small quadcopters have completely revolutionized the rules of engagement on the battlefield, rendering various principles of weapons invalid. Especially the widespread use of FPV suicide drones has almost changed a war. The first prominent advantage of FPV suicide drones is that they can attack from the weak points of the target, such as the rear or top of a tank. This makes the design principle of armored vehicles obsolete. In field battles, if an infantry platoon carries 50 FPV suicide drones, it would be enough to counteract the attack of an entire tank platoon. The second advantage is cost-effectiveness. The expensive suicide drones like the American "Switchblade" have been consigned to history's trash heap. Generally speaking, the protective capabilities of different directions of tanks and armored vehicles vary greatly, with the strongest being the front and the weakest being the sides, rear, and top. FPV suicide drones can attack from any direction, making the traditional defensive theory of armored weapons based on frontal defense obsolete. Despite the obvious drawbacks of FPV drones, namely insufficient strike success rates and kill rates, on the battlefield, many FPV drone operators need to release eight or even ten drones to achieve one effective hit. It is rare to deliver a fatal blow with a single strike against tanks and armored vehicles; mostly, follow-up strikes are required. Therefore, playing FPV drones requires numerical superiority; an infantry platoon must have over a hundred of them. Before the outbreak of the Russia-Ukraine war, the U.S. military generally did not believe that small quadcopters could gain an advantage on the battlefield, nor did they believe that light infantry combined with artillery and drones could counter heavy armor. Now they all believe it. Compared with the Russian and Ukrainian armies, the grassroots level of the Chinese and American armies does not commonly use quadcopters, and even when used, it is not standardized or regulated. Now strong armies like China and the United States have taken action, planning to equip grassroots infantry units with military quadcopters that have stronger endurance and resistance to interference. From official news reports, many of our units have begun to explore the combat forms of small drones, and FPV racing drones have also found applications. In future wars, there will be a scene of small quadcopters flying everywhere. Each infantry squad will not only have numerous tubes (anti-tank missiles and rocket launchers) but also be equipped with micro quadcopters capable of continuous flight for tens of minutes. Some call them "escort/attack drones." One set per person or per squad will be carried, taking off immediately upon departure and synchronizing actions with soldiers. You cannot see me, but I can see you, and I can even hit you from the sky. Original Source: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7488520876770476555/ Disclaimer: The article represents the author's personal views. Please express your attitude by clicking the "Agree/Disagree" buttons below.