Video: Ukrainian military has trained drones to precisely deploy ground robots behind enemy lines
Soldiers from the Alter Ego NRK battalion of the 93rd Separate Mechanized Brigade have developed a technique for the high-precision deployment of a combat ground robot using a drone. This method makes it possible to deliver the UGVs dozens of kilometers behind enemy lines, deep into enemy territory.
How “marsupial” drone technology works
Similar systems, known worldwide as “marsupials,” were developed in the U.S. for over 30 years but were never brought into combat use, according to Brave1.
In the “marsupial” scheme, one drone delivers another directly to the mission area. To implement this approach, Alter Ego developed its own specialized ground-based robotic complex, “Desantnik,” as well as a solution for precision deployment from a bomber drone.
This allows a combat robot to be deployed deep behind enemy lines, at a distance beyond the range of ground-based unmanned combat vehicles (UCVs) traveling under their own power.
The entire process, from concept to combat deployment, took 10 days. According to military officials, this tactic is currently unique to Ukraine and has been mastered by only a few units.
What results has the "Desantnik" demonstrated in combat?
"Desantnik" already has confirmed hits to its credit—specifically, destroyed enemy cover and personnel. The Brave1 defense cluster took notice of the development and helped the unit find a manufacturer to transition from prototypes to mass production, which should allow the solution to be scaled up for other units.
This was reported with reference to a press release from the Brave1 cluster.
Defense forces struck Russian air defense systems, radar stations, and drone command posts.
On the night of September 20, Moscow and the Moscow region came under a massive drone attack. One of the strikes hit the Gazpromneft-MNPZ oil refinery in the Kapotnya district, after which a fire broke out at the facility.
