11 -Drones – Lessons Learned in the Russo-Ukrainian War
Viktors Bikovs
- Master’s Degree in Electronics and Geodesy at Riga Technical University
- Entrepreneur with 10 years’ experience in cutting-edge drone technology: drone automation software development for enterprise and security area. Promoting and delivering cutting-edge UAS to the Baltic states.
- Member of the Atlas Aerospace Business Development and Sales Team: Atlas Dynamics is a pioneering leader in fully autonomous drone solutions, catering to both professional and military users. Atlas cutting-edge technology enables us to swiftly and securely deliver valuable data, even in challenging situations.
ATLAS Enhances Military Operations
The integration of cutting-edge technology into military operations is a defining feature of the modern era.
In the last few years, especially since the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the world and developers have seen how small systems work. Bulky equipment is gradually being relegated to the background. Various drones, ground-based UAVs, homemade trench electronic warfare, and other solutions are in demand. They are more affordable and easy to use in a crisis. ATLAS engineers had to solve many technological challenges in the conditions of the Russo-Ukrainian war, and as a result, the ATLAS team improved the products according to military needs.
In this article we explore how ATLAS, a leading innovator in the field of unmanned aerial systems (UAS), is changing the game with its state-of-the-art Atlas TETHER and AtlasPRO systems. These advanced tools are helping military and intelligence personnel achieve their objectives even in the face of intense electronic warfare and jamming, reshaping the landscape of security and defence in the process.
Expanding ATLAS's Footprint
ATLAS has been working closely with Ukraine since 2019, providing high-performance dual-use UAVs, including the AtlasPRO.
AtlasTETHER – Securing Strategic Facilities
AtlasTETHER, a tethered drone that forms part of the ATLAS ECOSYSTEM, recently underwent successful testing in Ukraine. The primary objective was to demonstrate its ability to provide continuous monitoring of a strategic facility even in the presence of electronic warfare. This achievement represents a significant advance in military surveillance and intelligence gathering.
AtlasTETHER has proved itself indispensable in safeguarding strategic military sites, critical infrastructure, and crowded areas, thanks to its real-time video streaming capabilities. These capabilities ensure the immediate transmission of live images to command centres, enhancing acute situational awareness.
Ivan Tolchinsky, ATLAS CEO, said:
“Testing devices in real conditions is much tougher than any simulated ones, pushing our devices to the limit and providing invaluable insights. Through these tests in Ukraine, we’ve confirmed that AtlasTETHER operates independently of GPS.
“Our system performs flawlessly, maintaining consistency even when signal strength wanes, all thanks to the revolutionary optical flow technology that sets us apart.”
During the tests, AtlasTETHER was put into many different situations, yet the system remained stable due to its optical flow technology. This device delivers exceptional performance when you need it most, making us the foremost choice for unrivalled reliability in any mission.
The 20x hybrid zoom and the 10x digital zoom allow the user to see a detailed picture and to display a visual grid to define the target. In addition, the use of a thermal camera allows for observation at night.
AtlasPRO – Defying Electronic Warfare
The AtlasPRO drone, known for its robust design and innovative software-defined radio (SDR) module, has been effectively resisting electronic warfare during tests. Equipped with frequency hopping technology, the AtlasPRO can adapt to different radio frequencies, even in the presence of jamming systems, and maintain stable connections.
The frequency hopping feature in AtlasPRO demonstrates its resilience against jamming systems, making it a valuable asset for military personnel. The drone’s adaptability ensures successful mission completion under challenging conditions, a crucial selling point for defence agencies.
AtlasPRO – Defying Electronic Warfare
The AtlasPRO drone, known for its robust design and innovative software-defined radio (SDR) module, has been effectively resisting electronic warfare during tests. Equipped with frequency hopping technology, the AtlasPRO can adapt to different radio frequencies, even in the presence of jamming systems, and maintain stable connections.
The frequency hopping feature in AtlasPRO demonstrates its resilience against jamming systems, making it a valuable asset for military personnel. The drone’s adaptability ensures successful mission completion under challenging conditions, a crucial selling point for defence agencies.
AtlasPRO EW countermeasures
The Military’s Response to Electronic Warfare
Ukrainian military experts and soldiers have been exploring the capabilities of the AtlasPRO in a real-world electronic warfare scenario. The drone’s ability to maintain control even in the presence of electronic warfare systems is a game-changer for military operations.
The successful testing of the AtlasPRO highlights its combat-readiness and its potential to significantly reduce the loss of drones in hostile environments. This crucial selling point positions AtlasPRO as a reliable choice for defence forces in need of resilient UAS.
Smart Hopping
The pilot Artem D. (call sign “Scope”) said about smart hopping:
“Jamming was happening, we felt it – it was really close, but it didn’t jam on all GPS channels. This EW (electronic warfare system) isn’t an ordinary complex; it is an assembled EW called ‘Trenches’. Russians usually use such complexes. This is all they can buy in China. All the modules are Chinese, and the hardware is Chinese but simply assembled and very, very powerful.”
The smart SDR module of AtlasPRO independently determines where the enemy’s warfare complex is located, scans frequencies to detect the jamming range, and jumps to free frequencies automatically.
An Ecosystem of Excellence
ATLAS is marked by an ecosystem of devices designed to enhance the capabilities of units and empower defence forces to secure their homelands. The ATLAS devices seamlessly integrate into the command centre and can operate remotely, offering commanders and troops innovative solutions for heightened situational awareness, as well as communication between command centres.
The ATLAS Ecosystem includes the AtlasSTATION PRO, AtlasNEST, AtlasTETHER, AtlasPRO, AtlasROVER, AtlasPERKONS, and AtlasAVALANCHE PRO systems. These systems operate seamlessly in MESH, ensuring that you have the ultimate command and connectivity at your fingertips at all times. It’s a revolution, setting new standards in versatility, reliability, and control for your missions. When excellence is non-negotiable, trust the ATLAS ECOSYSTEM to deliver.
ATLAS’s AtlasTETHER and AtlasPRO are ushering in a new era of military and intelligence operations, where electronic warfare and jamming systems no longer hold the upper hand.
As ATLAS continues to improve its technology, military and intelligence agencies can expect increasingly advanced tools to support their missions, ultimately strengthening security and defence strategies.
ATLAS’s dedication to developing cutting-edge UAS technology showcases its commitment to enhancing military and intelligence operations.
