Suicide drones in the Russia conflict.

VietNamNet•17/05/2023

Escadrone is the group producing the Pegasus suicide drone for Ukrainian forces. Unlike consumer-grade drones, these "kamikaze" vehicles are entirely different machines, requiring a certain level of skill from the operator.

Success or failure depends on skill.

To control it, the pilot wears a first-person viewfinder (the view from the pilot's eyes), sets up the communication antenna, and connects the controller to the Pegasus – a small, sporty drone that is more powerful than the Mavic and built for "one-way missions" with an attached anti-tank grenade.

Pegasus fitted with anti-tank ammunition.

The basic Pegasus configuration carries a 2.2-pound (~1 kg) warhead, making it highly effective against infantry and light armored vehicles. For heavily armored tanks, Ukraine uses larger FPV drones equipped with 5-pound (~2 kg) PTAB anti-tank rounds. These specifications are relatively limited compared to shoulder-fired anti-tank missiles like the Javelin, but they are still effective if they hit a weak point in the enemy's defenses.

"First-person view (FPV) suicide drones are entirely dependent on the pilot's skill," a representative from Escadrone stated.

The entire process of preparing, activating, and launching the drone takes about 5 minutes. Pegasus travels at approximately 45 mph (~70 km/h), gliding to the target coordinates provided by the reconnaissance team at a low altitude, making it less likely to be detected or shot down compared to reconnaissance drones flying at higher altitudes. Typically, it takes 3 to 5 minutes for Pegasus to travel several miles to enemy positions. A spokesperson stated that their longest recorded mission lasted 13 minutes.

In the event of a failed attack, the operator simply tries with another drone. Escadrone is supplying Ukraine with a thousand FPV-kamikaze drones every month.

The source emphasized that hardware isn't the most important factor. While beginners using drones like the Mavic can operate them without training, effectively using FPV drones requires considerable skill.

"To use this device effectively, the driver must undergo a month-long training course. This is because it is very difficult to hit a high-speed moving target."

Inexpensive precision weapons

The name Escadrone is a portmantein of 'eskadron', which in Ukrainian means 'cavalry squadron' and 'drone'. The group was formed in May 2022 with a core group of people sharing a common interest and extensive experience in building FPV drones. They have designed, built, and tested numerous prototypes, and Pegasus is their most successful product.

While drones manufactured by military contractors are expensive—for example, the American Switchblade "target-seeking munition" costs around $60,000 per unit—the basic Pegasus configuration costs only $341 per unit, while the higher configuration costs $462 per unit. These Ukrainian FPV drones make full use of inexpensive components that can be easily fabricated using a soldering iron.

Will inexpensive precision weapons play a crucial role in future wars?

"We decided to create a product that could be helpful on the battlefield, and cheap enough to mass-produce," said a representative from the Escadrone team.

Through real-world testing, the development team only upgraded the Pegasus's engine, radio antenna, and control electronics without changing its fundamental design.

One of the reasons the Switchblade 300 is more expensive is its ability to lock onto moving targets and automatically track them. Similar technology may soon be achievable on FPV kamikaze drones thanks to new AI chips, but currently it still relies on the pilot's skill.

Inexpensive precision weapons appear to be a game-changer. Anti-tank weapons like the Javelin can only be supplied in limited quantities and cannot be wasted on low-value targets. Unsurprisingly, Escadrone is developing a new series of drones with upgraded electronic countermeasures, as well as design changes to counter new deterrence methods.

In less than a year, the impromptu creation of drone enthusiasts has transformed into a sophisticated device operated by a highly trained crew. There is no doubt that drones will be a major factor in future warfare.

(According to Forbes)

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