The technology uses artificial intelligence (AI) to increase the “intelligence [and] information awareness of the UAV, which gives them the ability to make the right decisions independently,” Bogatikov said. The end goal is to move away from human control of the UAVs, he added. Using AI for navigation purposes has many advantages. There is no electronic communication that reveals the covered operations. It allows the operator to be in charge of alternative missions. At the same time, the UAV reaches the designated area. “The group or swarm will independently assign roles and prioritise the task. This applies to both strike missions and aerial reconnaissance missions.” Bogatikov adds.

Bogatikov stated that the UAVs would be developed to detect, classify, and engage targets independently. This statement causes concerns as AI may assist the operator in detecting and classifying the target, but engaging the target requires the operator’s decision under current circumstances. In this case, it is unclear whether humans would be involved in this process.

Bogatikov also stated that they need to teach the unmanned system to identify targets correctly in a combat situation. However, he emphasised that deploying weapons autonomously would be straightforward once a target had been correctly identified.