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Ukrainian forces have modernized the Dovbush T10 reconnaissance unmanned aerial vehicle, turning it into a "mother ship" for kamikaze drones, which significantly expands its combat capabilities.
The Dovbush T10 UAV, which Ukraine will receive from 2022, was initially used to monitor the front line and detect the enemy. However, this drone has recently been retooled and is now capable of carrying up to six kamikaze FPV (First Person View) drones. The released videos show the T10 simultaneously serving as a base platform for launching drones and as a command and relay center, allowing operators to guide launched UAVs to a target with high precision.
Tests have confirmed the effectiveness of this adaptation. The T10 can launch kamikaze drones in sequence, allowing you to check the effectiveness of each attack with the surveillance function. The first drone launched hit the pickup target, after which the T10 launched a second drone for a confirmation or follow-up strike. This tactic allows the troops to stay out of the direct hit zone, ensuring the safety of the operators.
Adaptation of the T10 UAV has a number of advantages. First, it increases the range of FPV drones, since the "mother" ship works as a signal repeater, overcoming the interference of radio electronic warfare (EW) systems. Second, the T10 can continue surveillance after the drones are launched, providing real-time updates on the results of the attack. The high resistance to EW and the ability to produce locally make this drone an effective and cost-effective tool.
This approach is an example of the use of modern technologies in military operations. The concept of "motherships" is not new, but its implementation in the form of compact and inexpensive drones, as in the case of the T10, opens up new possibilities for tactical operations. Other countries, in particular China, are already experimenting with similar platforms, but Ukrainian adaptation proves that local solutions can be no less innovative.
