Text taken from the website telegra.ph authored by (c) Platon Mamatov
INTRODUCTION
The widespread use of Hornet drones by the Ukrainian Armed Forces has made cargo transportation in southern Russia a dangerous undertaking. Unfortunately, open sources still lack adequate recommendations for countering this threat. Therefore, I have taken the liberty of compiling a manual for organizing civilian logistics.This material is based on the practical combat experience of the "Irishmen" strike force and other units of the Russian Armed Forces.
WHAT IS THE THREAT?
The Hornet is an aircraft-type drone that uses artificial intelligence to guide its target.Its main properties:
1. It has impressive dimensions (1.4 meters in length, wingspan - 2.2 meters)
2. Significant weight (about 15 kilograms)
3. Speed ​​up to 120 km / h (in a dive - significantly more)
4. High-explosive fragmentation warhead weighing about 4 kilograms
5. Long flight range (more than 130 kilometers from the launch point)
6. Significant flight altitude (decreases shortly before hitting the target)
7. Automatic target acquisition and tracking using artificial intelligence
The properties of the product determine the specifics of combat use. A typical operating scenario of the Hornet looks like this:
1. The drone patrols a road, moving along it. At the same time, it is at an altitude that makes it unlikely to be hit by fixed posts and MTFs (mobile fire teams)
2. Every object in the drone's area of ​​interest is analyzed by artificial intelligence (and, possibly, a human operator)
3. If the object is visually similar to the desired target (a fuel truck, a truck, a Gazelle, a piece of military equipment, a pickup truck), then the target is locked on. After this, the Hornet begins its attack
4. The trajectory and speed of the attack are calculated automatically, taking into account the target's dimensions, speed, and direction of movement. The main attack vectors are "top-and-rear" (target pursuit) and "top-and-front" (head-on strike).Attacks from a vertical dive (close to a 90-degree angle) are unlikely, because this method greatly complicates hitting a fast-moving target.However, they can be carried out against static targets
5. Changes in the direction and speed of the target's movement force the Hornet to change its attack trajectory.At the same time, the drone has significant inertia (weight + aircraft structure), as well as limited maneuverability.Accordingly, a sharp maneuver can "fool" the drone and it will miss.7. A direct hit by a drone with a high-explosive fragmentation part on a target without armor is guaranteed to disable it.
But even an off-target explosion can cause significant damage. Four kilograms of high-explosive fragmentation can wreak havoc at distances of tens of meters.
WHAT IS THE TARGET?
The most typical targets for Hornets are trucks (with or without trailers), as well as fuel tankers.
The main characteristics of these targets:
1. Large size and weight. Consequently, they have very limited ability to maneuver sharply, as well as quickly brake and accelerate.
2. Lack of armor.
3. Very limited visibility from the driver's seat. The driver can only see the section of the road ahead. The sectors above, behind, and to the sides of the vehicle are obscured for observation.
4. Poor off-road maneuverability, forcing the vehicle to stick to paved roads. Of course, this only applies to civilian vehicles.
How are the Hornets countered by the Russian Armed Forces?
The first line of defense consists of radar detection systems and interceptor drones. Thanks to their work, a significant number of Hornets never reach logistics routes.
The second and final line of defense are MOGs, or Mobile Fire Teams. These are essentially machine gun crews traveling in pickup trucks and other vehicles. MOGs covering routes always operate stationary. We will not consider the work of MOGs accompanying military convoys here.
MOGs are positioned on the shoulders or adjacent roads. When Hornets are detected, they are subjected to small arms fire.
Route protection with nets, widely used on military roads, is not yet used on civilian roads. They may appear in the near future. The same applies to temporary shelters for vehicles, evenly spaced along all major roads.
It is important to understand that no existing countermeasure is 100% effective. A certain number of Hornets will still break through the swarm of interceptors and the small arms fire of MOGs. Moreover, drones spend most of their flights at altitudes inaccessible to mobile task forces.
What measures are recommended for civilian cargo transport participants?
A CHANGE IN MINDSET:
First of all, start thinking differently. Since the advent of the Hornets, all cargo transport operations within their reach have transformed from peaceful logistical routines into military operations. Any military operation requires an appropriate approach both during preparation and implementation. Every participant in the process, from the company director to the driver or forwarder, must approach this accordingly.
Individual training and equipment for drivers (forwarders)
Every participant in the process must:
1. Have first aid skills for themselves and their comrades. Currently, almost everyone lacks these skills.
You must complete a comprehensive tactical medicine course. You can skip the training on running under machine gun fire. However, it's essential to practice actions in case of massive bleeding, broken bones, contusions, head injuries, and burns until they become automatic.
2. Have two first aid kits for each crew member. One on you, one in the cabin. No, standard automotive first aid kits won't do. Military/tactical kits are required. We won't discuss the contents of these kits here; that's a separate topic.
3. Have personal body armor (PBE). This includes body armor, helmets, and fragmentation goggles.
Some believe it's possible to wear body armor without armor plates, relying on the protection of built-in ballistic packets. This may be reasonable for long-term wear. However, the final decision on this matter rests with the user.
I'll also address the issue of goggles separately. The overwhelming majority of military and civilian personnel wearing personal protective equipment (PPE) neglect eye protection.
People in body armor and helmets nevertheless walk around with their faces uncovered. The reasons for this carelessness are obvious (glasses, if you're not used to them, are very uncomfortable, fog up, and are constantly lost). But it is precisely this lack of eye protection that regularly causes serious injuries, leading to disability or death.
4. Have the habit of CONSTANTLY wearing PPE. All of it, including glasses and helmet. I'm emphasizing this point for good reason. Many soldiers and volunteers don PPE only occasionally. This is understandable. The armor is heavy and hot, the helmet tires the neck, glasses fog up, and so on.
But there's a huge difference between "the driver has a PPE" and "the driver always wears a PPE.
5. Each participant in the communication must be able to use communication equipment.
Vehicle upgrades:
1. Each vehicle must be equipped with communication equipment, including mobile internet and a radio station.
It's best to have mobile internet from several providers, as coverage quality and network jamming create significant problems.
2. Try to at least partially solve the problem with viewing sectors. Install additional mirrors and/or video cameras that allow you to see what's happening above and behind the vehicle. Keep in mind that the Hornet will appear from above. Therefore, standard rearview mirrors won't help here.
3. In addition to the driver, military trucks almost always have observers/gunners. They are positioned outside the cab (for example, behind it or on it) and visually monitor what's happening behind the vehicle, above it, and on the flanks. I don't know if this measure can be implemented on civilian vehicles. I also don't know how the traffic police will react to this.
But if this option is available, then by all means use it.
4. The cabins of almost all military trucks are covered with grills. Implement this on civilian vehicles. Remember that a grill is unlikely to protect an unarmored target from damage. However, it significantly increases the crew's chances of survival.
Route Planning:
1. Build the route so that the vehicle spends as little time on it as possible. Maximum speed + minimum possible stops.
2. Make all stops where you are difficult to detect and engage. This includes covered parking lots, hangars, under trees, and in high-rise buildings.
3. Divide the route into small, equal segments using checkpoints. Assign a name to each checkpoint. Train crews to report passing checkpoints via mobile phone and/or radio. Remotely monitor the vehicle's timely passing of checkpoints.
4. Consider weather conditions. Fog and rain greatly hinder the operation of Hornets, since they rely on visual target acquisition. Strong winds also interfere with drones, but do not make their use impossible.
5. I have nothing to say about the choice of time of day. I don’t know how well the Hornets see in the dark. But from my experience, I can say that an experienced drone pilot can easily detect the light of car headlights from several kilometers away.
Route Completion:
1. The crew informs the coordinator of the start of movement and leaves.
2. Within the range of the Hornets, all crew members are wearing protective equipment.
3. Maximum speed, minimum stops.
4. The crew informs the coordinator about passing each checkpoint.
5. The crew informs the coordinator about emergency situations along the route (vehicle breakdown, damage to vehicle due to a drone attack).
6. The coordinator has ready-made algorithms for each emergency. What does this mean?
A truck has a flat tire between the Lena and Olya checkpoints. Where is the nearest safe shelter to change the tire?
A breakdown has occurred that requires repair at a repair shop. Where is the nearest repair shop? How can I contact them? Is it possible to tow a damaged vehicle there?
A truck was attacked by a Hornet at the "Anya" checkpoint. The vehicle is damaged, and the crew is injured. Who will call for help? Where will it come from, and will it arrive at all? How quickly will it arrive?
Remember that in an emergency, not only specialized specialists but also traffic police officers or mobile task force members can provide assistance. Of course, you can't expect a machine gunner to be skilled in treating shrapnel wounds. But he is quite capable of transporting a wounded driver to the nearest medical center. By the way, where is this medical center?
In this regard, it would be a good idea to find out and mark the locations of traffic police posts and mobile task force members on a map.
Let me remind you that this information must not be shared with third parties or made publicly available. If the data leaks to the enemy, it will have very unpleasant consequences, both practical and criminal.
Actions on the route:
1. Maintain maximum concentration and attentiveness throughout the entire route.
2. Constantly monitor the air. Try to create as complete a view as possible.
3. Open the windows and turn off the music. You are unlikely to hear the drone; they are quiet. But this will make it easier to hear bursts of gunfire.
4. Do you hear gunfire? Immediately stop at the side of the road and exit the vehicle. Most likely, it is the mobile task force targeting the drone. Do not return to the vehicle until the situation is clarified. Do not rush to move. Gunfire may mean that the drone has passed the mobile task force and is now circling the road.
5. Do you see the drone? Calmly but quickly assess its direction of movement, distance, and speed. Then decide on further action. Your options depend on the above factors:
- If the drone is close and coming straight at you, try to evade it with a sharp maneuver.
Rapid braking is unlikely to help. After evading, you should either stop and exit your vehicle, or break away at high speed.
- If the drone is pursuing you, brake sharply and exit your vehicle immediately.
- Drivers often try to escape a pursuing drone at high speed. This tactic can work. However, to use it effectively, you need to correctly understand the situation ahead in the direction of travel.
If there is a straight, level road without obstacles in front of you, then there is a chance to escape.
If you are moving in traffic or there are sharp turns ahead, then you will most likely be overtaken.
6. If the drone misses you, continue driving. Leave the dangerous section of the route as quickly as possible. Report the incident to the coordinator
7. If the drone hit the target, then:
- immediately leave the vehicle
- if necessary, help your comrade leave the vehicle
- move tens of meters away from the damaged vehicle
- provide first aid to yourself and your comrade
- look for an opportunity to evacuate to the nearest medical center
All actions in case of detection of a drone should be repeatedly discussed, thought out and practiced in advance.
Column as a method of operation
Moving in a column increases the chances of getting where you need to go. However, such work requires additional organizational efforts.
Five trucks driving one after another is not a column, but ducks in a shooting gallery.
Each vehicle in the column:
1. Keeps its distance, does not go too close
2. Has stable radio communication with the others
3. Constantly monitors the sectors
4. If a drone is detected, immediately report it by radio to all participants.
5. Knows how to maneuver in the event of a threat.
Example:
"Petrovich, they're coming at you from behind. Speed ​​up." Petrovich suddenly accelerates and breaks away from the drone. The remaining vehicles slow down and stop on the side of the road. The crews abandon their vehicles.
IMPORTANT:
As mentioned above, trucks are large and offer very poor visibility. It is very effective to send a convoy consisting of more than just trucks. Pickup trucks with open beds should be placed at the head and tail of the convoy.
Observers in the beds of the pickups should monitor the air in front of and behind the convoy. Report any threats promptly. It is best to have two observers per pickup. One looks forward, the other looks back.
Psychological Component:
Transportation along hazardous routes creates significant psychological stress on the participants. This must be taken into account when planning the work. Explain to people the importance of their dangerous work and give them sufficient time to recover between trips. Stress and fear, coupled with accumulated fatigue, can lead to critical errors not only when repelling drone attacks, but also during routine road traffic.
Mutual Assistance:
Help other participants in logistics operations. Yes, in business, these are your competitors. But now you have a common danger and a common enemy.
You're in the same boat. Act accordingly. Exchange information, establish and maintain horizontal connections, and be sure to help those in distress.
CONCLUSION:
The Ukrainian Armed Forces, in violation of all laws and customs of war, are targeting civilian vehicles. They are deliberately committing war crimes. Remember who you're dealing with. Remember who your enemy is and what they're capable of.