1/ THREAD on Russian quadcopter training in Donbas, from a report by Russian blogger Aleksander Kots in official RIA Novosti: "The conflict in Ukraine was the first in history with the massive use of civilian drones. The opposing sides have their special units of drone pilots."
2/ βThey (pilots) study at the Vladimir Zhoga Republican Center for Unmanned Systems for only five days. Then they go to their units to consolidate their skills in practice. We train as quickly as possible - drone operators are really needed."
3/ "We train professionals, able to "throw" a drone even through an open window. The first rule of a quadcopter operator is to keep spare batteries in an inside pocket. Pilots will master the commercial civilian DJI Mavic 3 and DJI Air 2S drone operation."
4/ "These (DJI drones) are the most common models at the front. They are inexpensive. In a modern armed conflict, any drone is a consumable (expendable). But itβs better not to squander the equipment for nothing, so listen carefully."
5/ "(Instructors teach) how to unfold the quadcopter, install the battery, turn it on, and carry out pre-flight preparation. Shows a massive control panel, with the display showing telemetry (altitude, range, speed), battery level, compass, camera settings, satellites."
6/ "This (satellite) indicator is especially important. If its number changes rapidly - increasing, then decreasing, this is a first sign that the enemy is trying to either land the drone with electronic warfare or hack it. In this case, you need to leave the dangerous area."
7/ βAn important point is to never turn on geolocation. There are devices (aeroscopes) that allow you to track in the air not only the drone itself, but also the operator coordinates and take-off points."
8/ "After the introductory lecture, the cadets proceed to practical exercises. Each performs basic drone maneuvers: a square, a turn, a downward and upward spiral, holding at the same height when moving in a circle. And landing on a sheet of plywood measuring 1x1 meter."
9/ The further training program includes advanced UAV software settings, complex piloting, dropping small-sized ammunition and, most importantly, special tactical training."
10/ "The drone operator is often in an open area so as not to lose contact with the bird. He can be tracked down by radio intelligence, he risks falling under fire, he sometimes has to look for a copter in complete darkness."
11/ "Even a child can handle the quadcopter controls, but since this is primarily a reconnaissance tool, the operator must be able to distinguish fortified areas, camouflaged dugouts, columns of equipment, and even individual military personnel from the image on the screen."
12/ "Operators are taught how to adjust artillery fire, resist electronic warfare, and interact with assault squads - they are the eyes of the unit, and many lives depend on them. This massive use of civilian and industrial drones in combat is a real revolution in artillery."
13/ "Any howitzer, with proper adjustment from the air via drone, turns into a sniper rifle. This not only greatly increases the efficiency of fires, but also dramatically reduces the consumption of ammunition. There are never too many drones at the front."
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