Chethana Janith, Jadetimes Staff
C. Janith is a Jadetimes news reporter and sub-editor covering science and geopolitics.
Russia’s Cerberus Drone Swarm System is a revolutionary initiative that could greatly mitigate the jamming of aerial, ground, surface, and under-water drone. Thus, reducing the impact of electronic warfare and anti-drone warfare.
Introduction
The modern-day battlefield is complex, and with the evolving nature of warfare, the intricacies are significantly increasing. The ongoing Russia’s Special Military Operation in Ukraine exemplifies this assertion. This military operation has exposed the vulnerability of advanced main battle tanks, including the Russian T-90, the American M-1 Abrams, the German Leopard, and the British Challenger.
Conversely, one can observe the precision and lethality of cost-effective asymmetric weapons such as First Person View (FPV) drones. For instance, the American BGM-109 Tomahawk cruise missile costs around 2 million USD, and the Russian Kalibr cruise missile costs around 1 million USD. In contrast, the Russian Lancet drone costs less than 35,000 USD and its strike capability is potentially more cost-effective than cruise missiles due to its minimal radar signature and smart warhead. The effectiveness of Lancet and Geran drones is significantly enhanced by the Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) support provided by the Orlan aerial drone.
During the military operation, both sides have extensively deployed aerial, ground, and surface unmanned vehicles or drones. However, the defining moments of any military operation always revolve around adaptability and battlefield improvisation based on lessons learned. Historically, battlefield improvisation is primarily a tactical decision-making process that can have significant strategic effects. For instance, during the Second World War, German Field Marshal Erwin Rommel successfully used the Flak-88, an 88mm anti-aircraft gun, against enemy armor. This tactical improvisation resulted in operational and strategic level victories.
The History of Wire-Guided Missiles
In the 1960s, both the Warsaw Pact and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) were relentlessly working to counter the perceived armored Blitzkrieg in the event of an armed conflict. Drawing from the lessons of the Second World War and the Korean War, both Eastern and Western military alliances focused on developing anti-armor weapon systems.
During this period, the Soviet 9M14 Malyutka, also known as AT-3 Swagger, and the American M-47 Dragon wire-guided Anti-Tank Guided Missile (ATGM) were developed. At that time, technology was limited and Semi-Active Command to Line of Sight (SACLOS) guidance was used. Later technologies adopted fire-and-forget systems, which relied heavily on active guidance; however, wireless guidance systems remain susceptible to jamming and sabotage.
Russia’s Battlefield Improvisation: Cerberus Drone Swarm System
To counter the inherent dangers of disruption, interruption, and interception of unmanned drones due to electronic warfare and jamming mechanisms, Russia has resorted to battlefield improvisation. The primary advantage of fiber-optic drones is their immunity and impervious nature to electronic jammers.
Russia has developed and deployed a revolutionary system called the Cerberus. This system is a fiber-optic wire-guided drone swarm that is simple in its approach. The system is mounted on a truck chassis with housing for 6 to 12 aerial drones, which are wire-guided by fiber-optic cables.
There are several advantages of using fiber-optic drones. They offer clearer communications and sharper video footage, enhanced data-transfer, and greater bandwidth for rapid decision-making. Faster data transfer and larger quantities of data mean clearer targeting. It is important to note that drone operators heavily rely on video feed to identify and destroy targets. Fiber-optic drones can also employ advanced sensors, enhancing situational awareness.
Drawbacks of Using Fiber-Optic FPV Drones
There are mainly three drawbacks of using fiber-optic wire-guided FPV drones. Firstly, the operational range of these drones is reduced, limiting their striking range. Secondly, due to the weight of the fiber-optic spool, the speed and maneuverability of the FPV drone could be reduced. Additionally, the increased weight could lead to higher power consumption of Direct Current (DC) batteries. Thirdly, the added weight could result in a relatively small warhead, thus reducing the damage inflicted on the target.
Analysis and Conclusions
The battlefield in Ukraine presents a perfect picture of modern warfare where asymmetric weapons can readily overpower advanced weapon systems. Similarly, it is not unreasonable to assume that cost-effective or inexpensive weapons could overwhelm sophisticated and high-end weapons. This asymmetry is widening in modern warfare.
In the ongoing Russia’s Special Military Operation in Ukraine, both sides aim to destroy every legitimate target. However, targets such as command posts, logistics, and armored vehicles, especially main battle tanks, are the preferred high-priority targets. To hit and destroy such high-value targets, FPV drones are the perfect choice for military commanders. However, modern electronic and electromagnetic warfare, along with related jamming equipment, make such ambitions uncertain.
Wire-guided fiber-optic FPV drones are a practical solution to such operational problems and have the potential to overcome jamming. In this regard, Russia’s Cerberus Drone Swarm System is a cost-effective and innovative initiative that could bring unprecedented results at the tactical level. Perhaps, that is why Carl von Clausewitz reminded us that the actual fighting takes place at the tactical level.
Comments