- January 5, 2026
- 11:19 pm
- Ukraine
The use of autonomous strike drones has become one of the most radical shifts in modern warfare. The New York Times writes about how these technologies are already changing combat operations, noting the transition from classic remote control to partial and full autonomy on the battlefield. The reason is simple: old methods no longer work where communication is jammed, and GPS becomes an illusion.
The “last mile” revolution
A front stretching about 1300 kilometers has become a testing ground for the new logic of war. The strengthening of Russian electronic warfare systems has sharply reduced the effectiveness of drones that are completely dependent on communication with the operator. In response, Ukraine and its technological partners have focused on so-called “last mile” autonomy.
The scheme looks like this: the operator manually guides the drone almost to the target, and then transfers control to the algorithm. The final section of the attack is carried out by the drone independently — without radio signals, without GPS, and without external control. In jamming conditions, this becomes a decisive advantage.
Technology that pushes humans out of the airwaves
One of the key developers of such solutions is NORDA Dynamics. Its software module Underdog is installed on existing drones and turns them into autonomous strike platforms.
The pilot locks the target on the screen using “pixel lock.” After this, the software takes over control. The algorithm keeps the object in focus even during sharp maneuvers and target movement. In current versions, locking is possible at a distance of up to two kilometers, which is considered a significant technological leap for frontline conditions.
Testing in real war
During field demonstrations in western Ukraine, a drone with NORDA software accompanied a moving vehicle, not losing it even when attempts were made to evade pursuit. After capturing the target, human involvement completely ceased.
Over the past year, more than 50,000 such modules have been delivered to the front line. This is not an experiment, but already a mass solution integrated into combat practice.
“Bees,” “wasps,” and artificial intelligence
A separate line of development is represented by next-generation drones created within projects associated with Eric Schmidt. In the Ukrainian army, they have received unofficial names “bee” and “wasp.”
The “wasp,” which in Russian analytical documents is dubbed “man from Mars,” stands out for its level of autonomy and computational power. It is capable of independently detecting targets and demonstrates accuracy of more than 70% without operator involvement.
On the screen, such drones highlight targets with green frames — infantry, fortifications, transport. This reduces the operator’s workload and speeds up decision-making. Schmidt publicly confirmed a strategic partnership with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, under which AI drones are supplied to counter Iranian drones.
Navigation without satellites
The key difference of the new systems is the abandonment of GPS. Algorithms compare images from the drone’s cameras with three-dimensional maps of the area, allowing for precise orientation even with complete suppression of satellite signals.
Modules weighing less than 500 grams are already being installed on Ukrainian drones used for strikes on military and infrastructure targets far behind the front line.
Ethics and the limits of autonomy
The technological leap inevitably raises ethical questions. Eric Schmidt and Pentagon representatives emphasize that humans must remain in the decision-making loop, especially when it comes to lethal impact.
But in practice, technologies increasingly allow bypassing this limitation. The founder of the Ukrainian company X-Drone openly talks about developing systems capable of independently identifying and attacking people in case of communication loss. In the future, even the integration of language models for voice interaction with drones is being considered.
Historical parallel
Military analysts compare the current situation to the advent of the machine gun in the early 20th century. At that time, European armies ignored the experience of the Russo-Japanese War of 1904 and continued to use cavalry, leading to catastrophic losses in World War I.
Today’s transition to autonomous drones appears to be a similarly pivotal moment. Those who underestimate its significance risk being left behind — already in a new, machine-driven war, which is increasingly written about by NAnews — News of Israel | Nikk.Agency.
