Research on the Evolution of Drone ( ) Military Applications and the Development of Countermeasure Systems

Key Chapter Title List

1. Definition of UAVs and Early Development History
2. Military Exploration of UAVs During the Two World Wars
3. Technological Breakthroughs and Applications of UAVs from the Post-Cold War Era to the Early 21st Century
4. Development of Russia's UAV Equipment System and Countermeasure Technologies
5. UAV Applications in the Ukrainian Battlefield and Configuration of Foreign Aid Equipment
6. Tactical and Technical Characteristics of Core UAV Models from Major Military Nations
7. The Role of UAVs in Tactical Transformation in Modern Asymmetric Conflicts
8. Analysis of UAV Threats to Civilian Infrastructure and Attack Patterns
9. Technical Composition and Protective Applications of Counter-UAV Systems
10. Future Development Trends and Strategic Impact of UAV Warfare

Document Introduction

Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), also known as drones, are key equipment in modern warfare. Their development history and military applications have become core elements reshaping the battlefield landscape. Based on a long-term historical perspective from 1849 to 2024, this report systematically outlines the evolution of UAVs from early hot-air balloon bomb carriers to modern intelligent attack platforms. It focuses on the technological iterations and practical applications in major participating countries such as the United States, Russia, Ukraine, and Turkey, and centrally discusses the tactical value of UAVs in asymmetric conflicts and the logic of offense-defense confrontation.

The report first traces the origins of UAVs, from the Montgolfier brothers' hot-air balloon experiments in 1782, to the Austrian army's hot-air balloon bombing of the Republic of Venice in 1849, and then to Nikola Tesla's radio-controlled devices and Charles Kettering's "flying bomb" in the early 20th century, fully presenting the early exploratory phase of UAV military applications. During the two World Wars, the large-scale application and technological accumulation by countries such as Britain, the United States, Germany, and the Soviet Union laid the foundation for the rapid post-war development of UAVs.

In the core equipment analysis section, the report provides a detailed breakdown of the tactical and technical characteristics of representative UAV models from various countries: Russia's "Geranium-2," "Lancet-3," "Tubus," and other series of equipment, which combine reconnaissance, attack, and anti-jamming capabilities; the Ukrainian military's domestically developed models such as "Stork," "Shark," "Valkyrie," as well as foreign aid equipment like the American "Switchblade" and the Turkish "Bayraktar TB2," forming a diversified combat system. Simultaneously, the report emphasizes the widespread application of low-cost equipment like FPV drones in the Russia-Ukraine conflict and their profound impact on battlefield casualties, logistical support, and tactical choices.

Addressing the security threats posed by UAVs, the report systematically analyzes their dual impact on military targets and civilian infrastructure, including strikes on forward positions and rear supply lines, as well as the risk of terrorist attacks on energy facilities and urban infrastructure. On this basis, it details the current state of counter-UAV technology development, covering Russian electromagnetic interference systems like "Rex-1" and "Stupor," laser weapons, and the composition and operational mechanisms of integrated counter-UAV protection systems.

The report concludes by pointing out that the proliferation of UAVs has fundamentally altered the nature of modern warfare, driving tactical evolution from traditional reconnaissance-strike models towards "swarm warfare" and "autonomous attack," while also posing new challenges to traditional air defense systems and strategic stability. Competition among nations in UAV technology R&D, tactical application, and countermeasure system development will continue to influence the future international security landscape and the nature of conflicts.