British Army Launches "Top Gun" Academy for Kamikaze Drone Pilots
This program trains on FPV drones for munitions delivery, a tactic already used effectively by Ukrainian forces.
British soldiers are being trained as kamikaze drone pilots at Strategic Command’s new jHub Drone Academy.
This program focuses on First Person View (FPV) Uncrewed Aircraft Systems (UAS) to deliver munitions to targets, a tactic already effectively used by Ukrainian forces against Russian vehicles.
The training, conducted by 16 Air Assault Brigade at Merville Barracks in Colchester, identifies skilled UAS pilots from existing troops to develop their expertise.
Lance Corporal Morgan McConnell from 3 Para, who trained with reconnaissance drones in Estonia, said: "The Parrot drone is user-friendly with autopilot, but FPV requires more skill and practice for instinctive flying. I'm excited about the challenge and working with evolving technology, especially as we integrate munitions."
Soldiers undergo a three-week course to become FPV pilots and use drones like the Parrot and Black Hornet for reconnaissance.
jHub aims to boost the Armed Forces' capabilities through innovative technology, collaborating with the Combat Manoeuvre Centre to deliver FPV training across all services.
Additionally, the British Army is using the SmartShooter SMASH system to counter UAV threats.
British Army Receives 10 Archer Howitzer Systems from Sweden
British Army's Data Breached, Chinese Hackers Blamed
British Army’s AJAX Vehicle Program on Track after GD Fixes Noise, Vibration...
Romania Confirms Purchase of 32 F-35 Fighter Jets
Russia Launches Powerful ICBM at Ukraine’s Dnipro in First Recorded Combat Use...
General Atomics Completes Qualification Test for New 200-Horsepower Engine for Gray Eagle...
U.S. Army, Lockheed Martin Conduct Double Test of Precision Strike Missile
Russian Su-57 and Chinese J-20 as Alternatives to the American F-35 Stealth Fighter
As the Russian Su-57 stealth fighter jet enters serial production, the debate over how it stacks up against the American...
NATO’s Intensified Exercises a Prep to Attack Russia?
Recent NATO exercises such as the BALTOPS-24, Steadfast Defender 2024 and its first-ever Basic Fighter Maneuvers exercise have been its...
Precision in the Skies: The Evolution of Loitering Munitions
Loitering munitions - drones that hover over a target and blow up near it - have become the weapon of...
Is the Patriot Air Defense System Outdated?
After Israel revealed its decision to decommission its U
Russia's Growing Influence in Africa: Arms Sales and Military Bases
Russia's expanding influence in Africa, demonstrated by arms sales, military deployments, and diplomatic engagements, reflects a significant geopolitical shift on...