Why haven't we've seen coordinate drone swarms before? In addition to your reasons, I think the following are possible or part of the mixture:
1. The strike planning software needed to be updated in order to support more complex strike plans for what is essentially time-on-target while also accounting for the AI decision making (de-conflicting here would be an interesting challenge) while ensuring accuracy that what was meant to be hit was hit.
2. Strategic patience. Ukraine has shown immense strategic patience during this war so that they could conduct operations that was most strategically impactful without being thrown off by noise (political expediency, demands for retribution etc.)
Agree that Ukraine has been incredibly patient and it may be to their advantage-I agree more concentrated attacks would make total sense in combination with their continued efforts in destroying oil and gas lines into Moscow. Slow and deliberate can turn to massive advantage and can lead to winning this war.
Throwing large numbers of independrntly operated drones at a target is different from what is referred to as drone swarms. You are absolutely correct that the software and machine learning curves have been gating items. I think we need to be very clear in nomenclature and not confuse a bunch of drones with a swarm as it's being effectively defined.
Yes what is being talked about in the article is AI controlled drone swarms not multiple FPV controlled by a human. The two present very different challenges.
My quick read left me with the sense that swarm was used generically in the post. I just wanted to establish that swarm now has a more specific technical meaning. I think we're all in agreement.
You know, one of the most interesting explanations I've read (don't know who formulated it and am too lazy to look it up) about the difference between Western and Eastern Europe is this:
When Western Europeans, having ruled the world for centuries, think there's a problem of any kind or any magnitude, they simply decide to fix it.
When Eastern Europeans realize there's a problem, they raise their arms to the sky in hope that whoever is fucking them over stops fucking them over.
Orban and Fico are the product of this mentality. They've won elections painting the EU as yet another power trying to fuck them over.
This made sense, in a way - until Brexit. No Hungarian or Slovak, or Pole for that matter, can say they haven't noticed Brexit. None of them can argue in good faith that they can't leave the Union any time they want.
They cannot, with dry eyes, believe that they're being 'ruled' by Brussels, that they're being fucked over by Western Europe.
They cannot possibly argue that the key to the future of their country is held, not by them, but by Brussels, or Western Europe.
I despise Hungarians and Slovaks for pretending they're victims while reaping the benefits of a solution Western Europe has forged out of the fires of WW2.
I could stomach their leeching, but like Merz has plainly said, Hungary and Slovakia are, now, traitor States. They undermine the very security of the EU.
So either they must be stripped of their voting rights and subsidies, or they must be actively thrown out of the Union...
The Germans have a word for what we should do. 'Kaltstellen,' which means as much as - put voting rights and subsidies on hold until the Hungarians and Slovaks come to their senses.
I'm not getting my hopes up. Fico was elected less than two years ago, after Putin invaded Ukraine (!!!). Orban was re-elected less than four years ago.
To be honest, I don't give a flying F what happens to the Hungarians and Slovaks, and what they do, as long as they don't do it on my dime...
Thank you for this! I’m deeply ashamed of our prime minister. Being Hungarian has never meant a burden, but this idiot managed to make me feel sub-European. Will take at least a decade to clear out his mess. Merz’s a strategic leader, and a brave one, too. Maybe, just maybe Europe is finally moving to the right direction.
Yes. I am sure you will vote. Please try to get a few more to vote when the time comes. A huge turnout is needed to send him packing. Small win wont cut it. Need a huge one.
Here's how each of us can help Ukraine. This is a legitimate official Ukrainian website endorsed by many trusted, prominent Americans. So far they have raised over $1.8 billion for such varied things as drones, ambulances, anti-air defense, and rebuilding schools and hospitals. You choose your own area of interest.
I have multiple times donated there, stipulating military. There is also ‘Come Back Alive’ and the fans of Jason Smart (who is so very well worth listening to on YouTube) have raised for drones.
"It (JEWEL) reduces Europe’s reliance on American weapons and data, and, more importantly, it plants the seed for a future where the world can begin to free itself from the Pentagon’s grip."
Thank you Shankar. Ready to type anticipation is wonderful but arrival is even better. Arrival of course means action. Then yes Merz, let's get Hungary- out or Qualified Majority if they can't be booted. Good Morning!! The coordinated drones are exciting on the good and bad scale depending on which side of a fence one is on. The future is here. Glory to Ukraine. Brilliant
Ukraine is juggling live handgrenades of world politics, which, like Slovakia and the United States occasionally detonate. At the same time they are kicking the hungry alligator at it’s feet trying to consume it whole, while attempting to assemble a 1000 piece puzzle picture of the future. One corner of that puzzle is assembling the accelerated mass production of long range deep strike missiles and drones. One corner is building a dependable stream of 155mm shells. Another corner is securing training for F-16 pilots and F-16 spare parts. Another corner is recruiting for their military. One part of this juggling, dancing, puzzle assembling act is putting together a true AI drone swarm attack…. That they have moved forward on this at all, in this environment, is impressive.
It’s about time Hungary is called out for Orban’s support for Putin. Thank you Germany. I always find your analysis and the comments informative. Thank you.
Peter Magyar seams to be busy in in the opposition since some time (Politica dec 2024). I seem to remember that Hungary played a role in the Habsburg Hungaria double Monarchy, not as slaves. In the most recent EU/EP survey I intentionally checked (today) Hungarian attitude regarding EU membership. Did not differ very much from average EU population. Slovakia less so. I am not Hungarian, I am proud to be Dutch in Europe. I like to be somewhat informed before participting. Cheers
Thanks Simon..
Why haven't we've seen coordinate drone swarms before? In addition to your reasons, I think the following are possible or part of the mixture:
1. The strike planning software needed to be updated in order to support more complex strike plans for what is essentially time-on-target while also accounting for the AI decision making (de-conflicting here would be an interesting challenge) while ensuring accuracy that what was meant to be hit was hit.
2. Strategic patience. Ukraine has shown immense strategic patience during this war so that they could conduct operations that was most strategically impactful without being thrown off by noise (political expediency, demands for retribution etc.)
Agree that Ukraine has been incredibly patient and it may be to their advantage-I agree more concentrated attacks would make total sense in combination with their continued efforts in destroying oil and gas lines into Moscow. Slow and deliberate can turn to massive advantage and can lead to winning this war.
Throwing large numbers of independrntly operated drones at a target is different from what is referred to as drone swarms. You are absolutely correct that the software and machine learning curves have been gating items. I think we need to be very clear in nomenclature and not confuse a bunch of drones with a swarm as it's being effectively defined.
Yes what is being talked about in the article is AI controlled drone swarms not multiple FPV controlled by a human. The two present very different challenges.
My quick read left me with the sense that swarm was used generically in the post. I just wanted to establish that swarm now has a more specific technical meaning. I think we're all in agreement.
I think that’s mainly because of lack of the material capacity to do it.
God, I will hang out the flag when Orban (and Fico) are neutralized, meaning, denied any of my tax Euros, and robbed of their voting rights.
That would turn Hungary and Slovakia into cheap labor resorts, and reduce the Hungarians and Slovaks to what they've been throughout history - Slaves.
If they don't like it, they are totally free to leave the Union....
Or change their governments
You know, one of the most interesting explanations I've read (don't know who formulated it and am too lazy to look it up) about the difference between Western and Eastern Europe is this:
When Western Europeans, having ruled the world for centuries, think there's a problem of any kind or any magnitude, they simply decide to fix it.
When Eastern Europeans realize there's a problem, they raise their arms to the sky in hope that whoever is fucking them over stops fucking them over.
Orban and Fico are the product of this mentality. They've won elections painting the EU as yet another power trying to fuck them over.
This made sense, in a way - until Brexit. No Hungarian or Slovak, or Pole for that matter, can say they haven't noticed Brexit. None of them can argue in good faith that they can't leave the Union any time they want.
They cannot, with dry eyes, believe that they're being 'ruled' by Brussels, that they're being fucked over by Western Europe.
They cannot possibly argue that the key to the future of their country is held, not by them, but by Brussels, or Western Europe.
I despise Hungarians and Slovaks for pretending they're victims while reaping the benefits of a solution Western Europe has forged out of the fires of WW2.
I could stomach their leeching, but like Merz has plainly said, Hungary and Slovakia are, now, traitor States. They undermine the very security of the EU.
So either they must be stripped of their voting rights and subsidies, or they must be actively thrown out of the Union...
The Germans have a word for what we should do. 'Kaltstellen,' which means as much as - put voting rights and subsidies on hold until the Hungarians and Slovaks come to their senses.
I'm not getting my hopes up. Fico was elected less than two years ago, after Putin invaded Ukraine (!!!). Orban was re-elected less than four years ago.
To be honest, I don't give a flying F what happens to the Hungarians and Slovaks, and what they do, as long as they don't do it on my dime...
it is about time the eu stood up on its hind legs as regards orban and fico
Preferably like an attacking lion.
Thank you for this! I’m deeply ashamed of our prime minister. Being Hungarian has never meant a burden, but this idiot managed to make me feel sub-European. Will take at least a decade to clear out his mess. Merz’s a strategic leader, and a brave one, too. Maybe, just maybe Europe is finally moving to the right direction.
Yes. I am sure you will vote. Please try to get a few more to vote when the time comes. A huge turnout is needed to send him packing. Small win wont cut it. Need a huge one.
Here's how each of us can help Ukraine. This is a legitimate official Ukrainian website endorsed by many trusted, prominent Americans. So far they have raised over $1.8 billion for such varied things as drones, ambulances, anti-air defense, and rebuilding schools and hospitals. You choose your own area of interest.
https://u24.gov.ua/
I have multiple times donated there, stipulating military. There is also ‘Come Back Alive’ and the fans of Jason Smart (who is so very well worth listening to on YouTube) have raised for drones.
Same here.
"It (JEWEL) reduces Europe’s reliance on American weapons and data, and, more importantly, it plants the seed for a future where the world can begin to free itself from the Pentagon’s grip."
About time.
Great article! I love reading your updates
Thank you Shankar. Ready to type anticipation is wonderful but arrival is even better. Arrival of course means action. Then yes Merz, let's get Hungary- out or Qualified Majority if they can't be booted. Good Morning!! The coordinated drones are exciting on the good and bad scale depending on which side of a fence one is on. The future is here. Glory to Ukraine. Brilliant
War is nothing but hell and horror for those who experience it. Sheer terror. Let’s hope for more of that for Moscow to get this thing over with.
Whis is Ukraine? Blue or red?
Blue
Ukraine is juggling live handgrenades of world politics, which, like Slovakia and the United States occasionally detonate. At the same time they are kicking the hungry alligator at it’s feet trying to consume it whole, while attempting to assemble a 1000 piece puzzle picture of the future. One corner of that puzzle is assembling the accelerated mass production of long range deep strike missiles and drones. One corner is building a dependable stream of 155mm shells. Another corner is securing training for F-16 pilots and F-16 spare parts. Another corner is recruiting for their military. One part of this juggling, dancing, puzzle assembling act is putting together a true AI drone swarm attack…. That they have moved forward on this at all, in this environment, is impressive.
It’s about time Hungary is called out for Orban’s support for Putin. Thank you Germany. I always find your analysis and the comments informative. Thank you.
Peter Magyar seams to be busy in in the opposition since some time (Politica dec 2024). I seem to remember that Hungary played a role in the Habsburg Hungaria double Monarchy, not as slaves. In the most recent EU/EP survey I intentionally checked (today) Hungarian attitude regarding EU membership. Did not differ very much from average EU population. Slovakia less so. I am not Hungarian, I am proud to be Dutch in Europe. I like to be somewhat informed before participting. Cheers
https://open.substack.com/pub/captainfransentim/p/the-warcry-tearing-down-putin-and?r=5jmmex&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web