Why are maritime drones so hard to beat?

Anders Puck Nielsen・2 minutes read

Russian navy chief and Black Sea Fleet commander fired due to losses from Ukrainian naval drones, facing technical challenges in detecting drones due to sea clutter on radar screens and inadequate anti-drone systems. Ukrainian attacks with packs of maritime drones pose a significant threat especially at night, highlighting the persistent problem faced by the Russian Black Sea Fleet and other navies globally.

Insights

  • The firing of the Russian navy chief and Black Sea Fleet commander was prompted by losses to Ukrainian naval drones, highlighting the significant threat posed by maritime drones in the complex sea environment.
  • The technical nature of the issue faced by the Black Sea Fleet, particularly the difficulty in detecting maritime drones due to sea clutter, emphasizes the limitations of current radar technology and the urgent need for robust anti-drone systems in naval operations globally.

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Recent questions

  • How did the firing of the Russian navy chief and Black Sea Fleet commander come about?

    They were dismissed due to losses from Ukrainian naval drones and the inability to find a solution. The issue faced by the Black Sea Fleet is technical, not human, making it challenging to resolve despite changing commanders.

  • What makes maritime drones a significant threat to naval fleets?

    Maritime drones pose a significant threat due to the complexity of the sea environment compared to the air. Radar technology struggles with sea clutter, causing radar echoes from waves that hide objects, making it difficult to detect maritime drones.

  • Why do ships struggle to detect maritime drones on radar screens?

    Ships may struggle to see anything closer than 0.5 to 1 kilometers on radar screens due to sea clutter. This forces visual observation and limits radar-dependent weapon use, making it challenging to detect maritime drones.

  • How do Ukrainian attacks with maritime drones exacerbate challenges for warships?

    Ukrainian attacks with packs of maritime drones, each with specific roles, exacerbate the challenge for warships, especially at night. This poses a significant threat to naval fleets, making it difficult to defend against such attacks.

  • Why is the lack of robust anti-drone systems a persistent problem for navies worldwide?

    The lack of robust anti-drone systems is a persistent problem for navies worldwide, including the Russian Black Sea Fleet, due to current technology limitations. This makes it challenging to effectively counter the threat posed by maritime drones, highlighting the need for advancements in anti-drone technology.

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Summary

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Russian Navy Struggles with Maritime Drones

  • The chief of the Russian navy and the commander of the Black Sea Fleet were both fired due to losses from Ukrainian naval drones and the inability to find a solution.
  • The issue faced by the Black Sea Fleet is technical, not human, making it challenging to resolve despite changing commanders.
  • Maritime drones pose a significant threat due to the complexity of the sea environment compared to the air, where radar technology struggles with sea clutter.
  • Sea clutter causes radar echoes from waves, creating a circle where objects are hidden, making it difficult to detect maritime drones.
  • Ships may struggle to see anything closer than 0.5 to 1 kilometers on radar screens due to sea clutter, forcing visual observation and limiting radar-dependent weapon use.
  • Ukrainian attacks with packs of maritime drones, each with specific roles, exacerbate the challenge for warships, especially at night.
  • Current technology lacks robust anti-drone systems, making it a persistent problem for the Russian Black Sea Fleet and other navies worldwide.
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