Ministry of Defence and Brave1 conduct large-scale testing of drones with AI guidance

The Ministry of Defence of Ukraine and the Brave1 defense innovation cluster conducted large-scale testing of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) equipped with automatic guidance modules for moving ground targets.

Such testing is necessary, in particular, to procure the most effective solutions for the Defence Forces of Ukraine as quickly as possible.

Autonomous guidance for drones is already being used on the battlefield and needs to be scaled up. Since the beginning of the year, the number of successful strikes using AI guidance has increased tenfold. At the same time, the Ministry of Defence and Brave1 adhere to ethical principles for using AI in defense. Artificial intelligence helps increase the effectiveness of strikes against the enemy, but a human still makes the decision to carry out a strike.

How drones with AI guidance were tested

Seven companies developing autonomous solutions for drones tested their technologies. In the test scenario, each drone had to fly 2 kilometers and detect and acquire a moving target—a lightly armored vehicle—from at least 500 meters away. It then had to hit the target in fully autonomous mode, with the pilot taking their hands off the controls.

The tests involved multirotor platforms measuring more than 10 inches, with a payload of at least 2 kg. Each team was given up to three attempts. To pass the test, a team had to hit the target in at least two out of three attempts.

Six manufacturers received recommendations for procurement

This was the first large-scale test of automatic guidance technology conducted under a single scenario and clear criteria. Six of the seven manufacturers passed the test and had their solutions recommended for procurement.

The Ministry of Defence and Brave1 continue working together to strengthen the Defense Forces' technological advantage on the battlefield, including by expanding the use of AI- and computer-vision-based automatic guidance technology as widely as possible across the military.

As previously reported, units of the Defence Forces of Ukraine already use more than 70 different systems powered by AI and computer vision technologies to strike enemy targets.