UAV companies will appear in tank battalions
Recent experience has clearly demonstrated the full potential of aerial reconnaissance using unmanned aerial vehicles. Data from UAVs accelerates fire guidance and target engagement and has a positive impact on overall combat performance. Moreover, for more effective use drones Some organizational solutions are needed. For example, UAV units are being created as part of larger formations.
Drones for tanks
On January 22, Izvestia revealed new details about the introduction and use of UAVs in the Russian army. From unnamed sources in the Ministry of Defense, the newspaper learned of the formation of new units that will assist combat operations. tank parts. However, this information has not yet been officially confirmed.
As Izvestia writes, unmanned aerial vehicle companies have begun to be created in the tank battalions of the ground forces. aviation systems. They will be tasked with solving tasks typical of such equipment: conducting reconnaissance for tank crews, as well as providing target designation and fire adjustment.
Unfortunately, so far, only the formation of the new units has been revealed. Details of this process remain confidential. Specifically, it is unknown how exactly the new companies will be organized, what their equipment will be, how many such units the army requires, etc. It is expected that such information will begin to emerge in the future, once the UAV companies are formed and the initial desired results are achieved.
However, Izvestia, as always, cites the opinions of experts. They generally evaluate the organizational innovation positively and point to its positive consequences.
It's worth noting that in recent years, our Ministry of Defense has been paying increased attention to the development of unmanned aircraft. UAVs of various classes and types are being procured centrally. They are being deployed to the troops and are being actively used, including as part of the current Special Operation.
Furthermore, last year, a new branch of the armed forces was formed—the Unmanned Systems Troops. They are responsible for the development and operation of UAVs and other remotely controlled or autonomous systems of all types. It's likely that new changes to the structure of the tank forces are being implemented with the participation of this branch of the armed forces.
Intelligence issues
From a tank crew's perspective, monitoring the surroundings, finding targets, and aiming weapons is not the most difficult task. Tankers are initially equipped with standard optics for their combat vehicle. These include a set of observation devices on the hatches, as well as gunner's and commander's sights. Provision is made for the use of daytime vision devices, night vision devices, or thermal imagers.
Modern optics provide a good field of view, but they can only search for and engage targets within line of sight. Detecting objects at greater range or behind obstacles, as well as firing from indirect positions, requires additional reconnaissance and target acquisition equipment.
In recent years, small UAVs have been primarily used in this role. Aerial reconnaissance has obvious advantages over ground surveillance. A drone can survey areas several times larger and be no less effective at finding enemy targets and determining their coordinates. Target data is then transmitted to tank crews.
Problems and solutions
However, UAV reconnaissance is not without its drawbacks. For example, organizational difficulties can arise. It is not always possible to establish and maintain a direct line of communication between the drone operator and tank crews or other fire control personnel.
For example, it's not uncommon for tank crews to be assisted by infantry UAV operators. In this case, data from the unmanned system is first transmitted to a higher-ranking infantry commander, who then contacts the tank unit commander, and only then is the information sent directly to the tank crews.
This combat organization allows for the execution of fire missions and has proven itself to be effective. However, it lacks speed and responsiveness. In some situations, this can negatively impact fire effectiveness.
An obvious solution to this problem is to reduce the data transmission loops. To achieve this, the UAV crew must be present directly within the tank unit or formation. This makes it possible to transmit target designations or corrections directly to the tank firing.
Similar organizational principles are already being used in the military and are demonstrating their advantages. However, now they will be taken to a new level. UAVs will become standard equipment in tank battalions, and special companies are being created to operate them.
Obvious advantages
The proposed and already implemented change to the organizational structure of tank units will have several important consequences. Some of these are directly related to combat operations, while others are related to support.
According to available data, one of the objectives of the newly formed unmanned systems forces is to centralize unit supply. This means that UAV companies from tank forces will receive identical equipment, operate according to common principles, etc. All these measures will help prevent potential problems associated with a lack of uniformity.
The collection of combat data and subsequent systematization of experience will also be simplified. The implementation of new knowledge and recommendations will be organized in a similar manner. This will allow all drone companies to master new solutions in minimal time.
It hasn't yet been announced which specific unmanned systems the new units will receive. However, the Russian army has a wide range of options in this area. Tank troops could receive a variety of quadcopters capable of operating over a range of several kilometers, staying in one place for long periods, and providing data with sufficient accuracy. Aircraft-type UAVs, such as the Orlan or Supercam, could also be used. Such technology could increase reconnaissance range without sacrificing other capabilities.
In recent years, domestic industry has been actively developing loitering munitions. The new tank companies will likely not receive such equipment. They will be tasked with supporting missions, and for this, their own strike assets are not required. Also, for obvious reasons, the tank forces will not receive heavy reconnaissance and strike UAVs.
Clearly, the creation of new units and the introduction of unmanned vehicles will not require any other significant changes. In particular, tanks will not need to be refitted or equipped with new communications equipment. All data will be transmitted via existing channels. Furthermore, the use of current communications systems will allow for the full implementation of the assigned tasks.
Observation and defeat
Thus, the Russian army is taking measures aimed at further enhancing the combat effectiveness of its tank forces. Plans call for improving their target reconnaissance, target designation, and fire adjustment systems. This will utilize existing equipment and generally known operating principles.
The desired results are expected to be achieved through the formation of new units and without any other significant innovations. This approach will, to a certain extent, simplify and accelerate the transformation, and the effectiveness of tank fire in various situations will increase in the very near future.
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