It is reported that Atreyd has already sent the "system" to Ukraine and expects it to be ready for operation in a few weeks; however, the questions are numerous.
Kyiv has reportedly received the necessary technology from a Western company to create the famous "Drone Wall," which promises to change the balance in the sky and on the battlefield. The main expectation of Ukraine and its allies is that this will be capable of stopping Russian unmanned aerial vehicles and helping the Armed Forces of Ukraine counter the guided bombs that have devastated the Ukrainian military.
But is this the case?
Behind the impressive slogans, there are ambiguities: unknown manufacturers, insufficient radar, an unclear operational model, and huge questions about the system's ability to stop the fast and highly destructive Russian guided bombs. If the "wall" works — or fails — the battle will determine not only the fate of the Ukrainian sky but also the future of the new air defense system.
Air defense from the future
The company Atreyd is delivering the technology to Ukraine for the development of the so-called "drone wall." The system is expected to be ready for operational use within a few weeks, Business Insider reports.
It is anticipated that the "drone wall" will be able to repel attacks by Russian offensive unmanned aerial vehicles and guided bombs. The development of the system will be the first known example of this type of air defense being used, which, it is estimated, will allow Ukraine to reach a new level of protection against Russia's intensifying air attacks.
What is the "drone wall"?
According to reports, the "wall" consists of a large number of interceptor drones that take off to repel enemy air attacks after the system's radar identifies a potential threat.
According to the manufacturer's philosophy, the battery-operated interceptor drones, which carry small warheads, can be placed in multiple layers and at distances from each other.
Curtain in the sky with AI
After takeoff, these interceptor drones form a "curtain" in the sky and explode (their warhead detonates) at a very short distance from the attacking drones, hitting them with a wave of fragments and an explosive effect.
It is assumed that artificial intelligence will be involved in the "drone wall" to change the structure of the wall, allowing it to respond as effectively as possible to the detected trajectory of the incoming enemy threat.
Low cost
According to its creators, the cost per interception in the "wall" is estimated to be only a few thousand dollars.
Any interceptor drones that were not used to destroy the attackers can return to their launch platforms and be used again in new attacks. It is reported that the "wall" drones can operate at an altitude of a few thousand meters and are equipped with a system for identifying "foreign bodies."
Operates independently of GPS
The company Atreyd also stated that the "drone wall" can operate without data from a global positioning system (GPS), as it is equipped with a pre-installed 3D map of the area of operation. This is an important feature, considering the extensive use of electronic warfare (EW) on the battlefields in Ukraine. It is assumed that the "wall" can operate completely autonomously.
The pitfalls
On the colorful official website of Atreyd, there are not many details about the "Drone Wall." There are motivational slogans and challenges: "get ready for tomorrow," "activate artificial intelligence at all levels," "the war in Ukraine has proven that tanks and infantry have become easy targets for drones. It is time to roll out creative defensive technologies, based on artificial intelligence and autonomous systems. Get ready today for the war of tomorrow."
Unknown company
Essentially, Atreyd's activity is based on three known principles: "fast cycles, low cost, high technology."
Observers have already pointed out that there is no publicly available detailed information about the company, its representatives, or its registration location. Furthermore, the company's website, apart from slogans, contains no specific data on the location of production facilities or a detailed description of the "drone wall."
Ideas
On one hand, the ideas upon which the conception of the "drone wall" is based do not provoke fundamental objections. The issue is how all this will be implemented in practice. Let's examine it point by point.
Radar is key
It is reported that the "wall" consists of many drones that take off from specific launch platforms after the radars detect a potential threat. Let's pay attention to this point — "after the radars detect a potential threat."
This means that the operation of the "wall" must be based on an effective radar detection system. In other words, a radar field must be created within which the detection, surveillance, and determination of the characteristics of enemy aerial offensive means—drones and guided bombs—is ensured. That is, for the "drone wall" to work, the coordinates, movement parameters, tactical characteristics, and state affiliation of these aerial objects must be determined.
For the time being, there is no convincing evidence that such a radar field has been formed in Ukraine, especially with the required characteristics. This is confirmed by all the results so far of the Ukrainian Air Defense (PVO) operation in repelling previous attacks.
Another big question
And if there is no reliable information about the aerial enemy, then it is not at all clear how the next critical stages of the battle will be implemented in repelling attacks, specifically — target allocation and designation/targeting.
Even if artificial intelligence is involved in the target allocation and targeting processes, the processing of radar information will nonetheless require significant computing power. Are these available in Ukraine to an extent sufficient for the operation of the "drone wall"? That is a big question.
Incomplete information
Regarding the composition of the "drone wall," so far, beyond the information that it consists of "many drones," no further details are provided. Information would be useful on: the basic composition of the system (in detail), the attached means, and the command/control means of the sub-assemblies (also in detail).
It is reported that the "drone wall" can be deployed closer to the front line for protection against destructive guided bombs, which, as is known, are very difficult to intercept. Again, more questions arise than answers.
Impractical
Firstly, the bomb with the UMPK has a very small radar cross-section and, as it approaches the target, develops a very high speed, close to supersonic. Air defense crews have very limited time to detect a bomb in flight, link the trajectory, form the targeting solution, and launch an anti-aircraft guided missile. Hitting a bomb with a UMPK in the final segment of its trajectory is extremely difficult. This is essentially the implementation of small-scale anti-ballistic defense capabilities by an anti-aircraft missile system. Achieving this with low-speed and low-maneuverability interceptor drones at the present stage seems a practically unfeasible mission.
It will be judged in battle
All we know so far about the "drone wall" is this: many drones, artificial intelligence, and a lesser-known company with a promotional website. It is reported that Atreyd has already sent the "system" to Ukraine and expects it to be ready for operation in a few weeks. As is known, only war is the main examiner for every sample of weapon technology and military equipment. Soon, the tactical and technical characteristics of the "drone wall" will become clear in detail, and it will be understood whether it is truly an effective weapon or a collection of overestimated statements.
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