Military and combat drones, or the world's most expensive drones
Although drones have only gained popularity in the public consciousness in recent years, the history of this type of device is much longer than you might think. From the very beginning, drones have been used in the military - interestingly, they were used as early as World War I. In those days, they served mainly in the role of moving targets, but currently their role is much broader. The military drone is undoubtedly a key component of the modern military - check what you should know about it.
What are military drones?
A military drone is an an unmanned aerial vehicle used by the army for a variety of operational tasks. In a military context, one can also often encounter the English abbreviation UAV - Unmanned Aerial Vehicle. Mostly these are the most expensive drones in the world, which is due to the use of reinforced designs and advanced technologies, sometimes designed on special order of the army. Compared to its commercial counterparts, the military drone stands out primarily in terms of its durability and the range of tasks it can perform. Depending on its design and equipment, a combat drone can be used for offensive or defensive purposes.
In most cases, a military drone is used as a support of ground units or a tool for intelligence operations. Using such solutions, the military can monitor areas that would be difficult to reach with traditional means, as well as carry out precision attacks on targets far from the direct front line. It is worth noting that the equipment of a drone can vary significantly depending on its purpose - its design can include m.in. advanced cameras, laser systems, thermal imaging sensors or even offensive weapons.
What combat drones are used for?
A combat drone is a special type of military drone. Its task is to conduct offensive operations, especially when making precision attacks on enemy targets. A combat drone can be equipped with armaments of various types - including rockets, guided bombs or missiles. Their advantage is the ability to operate at a great distance from military units, which minimizes the risk for pilots and soldiers. Examples include m.in. uS military drone MQ-9 Reaper, which is often accompanied by AGM-114 Hellfire missiles - these drones are used in armed conflicts around the world. A properly equipped military drone is an extremely precise tool, which allows to neutralize targets without direct contact with enemy forces.
What range do military drones have?
One of the factors by which the military drone differentiates itself from standard solutions is its significantly greater range. This has a huge impact on operational efficiency. The exact value of this parameter can vary widely - this is determined by the m.in. size of the drone, type of propulsion and purpose of the device. A small military drone most often operates over relatively short distances, but it should be noted that these are still much longer than commercial drones and are usually several tens of kilometers. More advanced models - such as the aforementioned MQ-9 Reaper military drone - boast a a range of almost 2,000 km. As a result, it is possible to conduct operations far from military bases, which greatly increases the flexibility of the army.
Moreover, a military drone can be equipped with advanced satellite systems, which make it possible to control them over even greater distances - even at the continental level. Such solutions are particularly useful in long-term missions that involve monitoring a large area for hours or even days. A frequently used feature is also automatic return to base (RTH), a solution also known from commercial drones - so that even if the connection with the operator is lost, it is possible to complete the mission safely.
Review of the world's most expensive military drones
The most expensive drones in the world are used precisely by the military - these are units that stand out for their advanced technology, impressive combat capabilities and broad operational capabilities. Among the devices used for military purposes, there are equipment such as the military drone RQ-4 Global Hawk, MQ-9 Reaper or X-47B.
For a long time, the record holder was the first model listed - the rQ-4 Global Hawk military drone costing as much as $131 million. Such a high price is the result of highly advanced sensors and cameras that allow the drone to provide extremely precise real-time data. The RQ-4 military drone is used for high-altitude intelligence missions, monitoring conflict areas and gathering information on the enemy.
The MQ-9 Reaper military drone, on the other hand, costs about 64 million USD per unit. It is an advanced combat drone that can conduct both offensive missions and intelligence or reconnaissance operations. Its offensive capabilities and long range (up to 1,850 km) make it one of the most widely used drones in armed conflicts.
The last designated military drone, the X-47B, on the other hand, is an experimental model developed by the Navy. It is one of the first unmanned vessels capable of taking off and landing on aircraft carriers. So far, only two units have been produced, and they have only been in service for a few months - and they have only been in service for a few months one obstacle to their use may have just been the price, which is an alarming $405 million per drone. Interestingly, the X-47B is distinguished not only by its high price, but also by its sizable size, and its appearance is reminiscent of bombers and modern fighter aircraft.
Does Poland have its own military drones?
The military drone is now an important part of the equipment of the Polish army. Our domestic military uses both locally produced drones and those supplied by foreign suppliers. Speech m.in. about Turkey's Bayraktar TB2 UAVs, as well as Poland's FlyEye 3.6 reconnaissance drones, whose fleet is constantly being expanded with new units. These are designs prepared by WB Electronics of Gliwice, which is one of the most important suppliers of drone technology to the Polish military. The Polish Army also has at its disposal a borrowed MQ-9A Reaper drone.
There is no doubt that the military drone is the backbone of modern military operations. It is worth noting m.in. on the considerable diversity among unmanned vessels - the militaries of various countries use both small tactical reconnaissance drones and larger craft that resemble small aircraft in size. The different models also vary considerably in terms of range, ranging from a few tens of kilometers to even a few thousand. Also noteworthy are plans to produce E-300 Enterprise drones with a range of up to 3,100 km in Poland - they are to support the Ukrainian military. The advanced technology and impressive capabilities of the devices are making military drones increasingly important in the defense field.
