Drone warfare facts for kids
Drone warfare is a modern way of fighting that uses special robots and machines that don't have a human pilot inside. These robots can be controlled from far away by a person or can fly on their own for parts of their mission. They come in many forms, like flying drones (called UCAVs or UAVs), boats that operate on the water (USVs), underwater vehicles (UUVs), and ground vehicles (UGVs).
Drones are used for many different tasks in conflicts. They can scout ahead to gather information, carry out one-way attack missions, help dispose of dangerous bombs, transport supplies, or even assist in moving injured people to safety. They are also used to defend against aircraft, tanks, and enemy soldiers.
As of 2019, many countries had military drones ready for use. These included China, France, Greece, India, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Italy, Pakistan, Poland, Russia, South Korea, Turkey, the United States, the United Kingdom, and Ukraine.
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Understanding Drone Warfare
Drones are helpful in many military jobs, such as electronic warfare (disrupting enemy signals), safely removing explosives, training exercises, and moving supplies. However, their most common uses are for gathering information, watching areas, finding targets, and scouting (ISTAR missions). This allows them to attack targets directly or work together with human-piloted aircraft.
Types of Military Drones
Aerial drones can attack in a few ways. Some are specially built military drones (UCAVs) that launch weapons like missiles. Others are regular commercial drones that have been changed to drop small bombs or attack from the air. Large drones can even carry supplies or help evacuate injured people from a battlefield.
Smaller drones, like mini and micro air vehicles, are light enough to be carried by a person. They are used for short-range missions close to the ground. Bigger drones can act like "motherships," launching smaller drones or using electronic tools to boost signals. Many drones can work together in a "swarm" to attack at the same time. Some advanced drones use artificial intelligence to make decisions on their own.
How Drones Are Used in Conflicts
In the early 2000s, the U.S. military often used drones to launch missiles at ground targets in countries like Afghanistan, Libya, Pakistan, Somalia, Syria, and Yemen. This was part of efforts to counter certain groups. Drone warfare quickly grew and spread in the 2010s and 2020s. Countries like Azerbaijan, China, Iran, Russia, Turkey, and Ukraine started using drones much more often. Even some non-state groups began using drones for attacks and moving supplies.
However, many experts agree that the Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022 was the first major "drone war." Both sides used many types of drones, from long-range fixed-wing drones to short-range FPV (First-Person View) drones.
The main reason this conflict is called the first "drone war" is because of how many drones were used and how intense the attacks were. This experience changed how modern armies fight. Ukraine even created a special military branch just for drone warfare, called the Unmanned Systems Forces, in June 2024. Russia followed with its own Unmanned Systems Forces in November 2025.
Commercial Drones in Warfare
A commercial UCAV is a drone made for everyday use, like taking videos, that has been changed to carry weapons. These weapons can include bombs, missiles, or machine guns. These modified civilian drones can then fire weapons, drop explosives, or crash into targets. The payloads might include explosives like hand grenades or mortar shells. These drones are relatively cheap and are also used for non-attack roles, such as scouting and helping artillery aim.
Defending Against Drones
Countries are developing systems to stop commercial UCAVs. These "anti-UAV systems" aim to counter the threat from these drones. Experts are debating the best ways to stop small drones, whether they are used by hobbyists causing problems or by groups for more serious attacks.
See also
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