The recent drone attack in Ukraine’s capital region has drawn attention towards the increasing use of kamikaze drones, unmanned aircraft packed with explosives, designed to destroy targets upon impact. Armed by countries like Russia, China, Israel, Iran and Turkey, these drones are a game changer in the warfare tactics due to their cost-effectiveness and ability to bypass traditional defenses. Capable of facial recognition, they can autonomously identify and hit the targets. This article explores these deadly machines in more detail.
Understanding Kamikaze Drones
Kamikaze drones, also known as loitering munitions, are small unmanned aircraft that are filled with explosives. They are designed to fly directly at a tank or a group of troops, causing destruction upon hitting the target. The term ‘kamikaze’ is derived from the Japanese word meaning ‘divine wind’, referencing to the suicide tactics used by Japan in World War II. Similarly, these drones crash into their targets, leading to their own destruction as well.
They’re often colloquially referred to as ‘Switchblade’ due to their bladelike wings that spring out on launch. These drones have the ability to bypass traditional defences to strike their targets. They cost significantly less than their larger counterparts but possess the same lethal potential. One of the significant drawbacks of these drones is that they are hard to detect on radar.
Technical Specifications of Kamikaze Drones
The Switchblade, a common type of kamikaze drone, is compact and lightweight. It weighs just five-and-a-half pounds, including its small warhead. Due to its small size, it can be carried into battle in a backpack and has a range of up to 7 miles.
The Switchblade is equipped with a feature that allows the operator to adjust the blast radius. This capability enables it to kill the driver of a vehicle but not the passenger, for instance. The weapon can be “waived off” up to two seconds before impact. A blast radius is the distance from the source that will be affected when an explosion occurs.
The drone also has cameras providing real-time video feed, capturing targets just seconds before impact. This allows operators to have a centralised view of the area of operation. With a cruising speed of 63 miles per hour, the Switchblade proves to be a swift and effective tactical weapon.
Usage of Kamikaze Drones by Different Countries
Although the kamikaze drone or the Switchblade is a highly advanced form of drone, several countries possess some version of it. Russia, China, Israel, Iran, and Turkey all have acquired these drones to boost their warfare capabilities.
Considering the advancements in technology, other non-military uses of drones have also grown exponentially. They are now used for spraying pesticides on crop fields, inspecting active volcano craters, collecting breath samples from spouting whales for DNA analysis, and more.
The advent of kamikaze drones has revolutionized warfare tactics. However, given their increasing use, and the potential for misuse, it becomes vital to establish international norms and regulations to govern their deployment and use in warfare.
