Drone attacks helicopter
The Ukraine conflict reveals the potential dangers of drones for manned aviation
On August 10, a video recording circulated on the internet showing a video-confirmed attack by a Ukrainian drone on a Mil Mi-8 military helicopter. The UAS, presumably armed with a weapon, approaches the helicopter from the right. Judging by its speed, the drone has no trouble approaching the helicopter.
The recording ends abruptly shortly before the intended impact with the helicopter's tail rotor during the maneuver. It can be assumed that the drone has reached its mission objective.
This video evidence not only represents a new level of escalation in the Ukraine conflict. In particular, it impressively demonstrates how, especially in the civilian world, arguments about the danger of uncooperative UAS for manned aviation continue to be far too abstract and distanced. Even without some kind of armament, the drone approaching quickly in this way would have brought any other helicopter to the ground. The chances of survival for the crew are probably only a few percent.
An equally frequently discussed fact is that the cost/property damage ratio between manned and unmanned aviation is considerably to the disadvantage of manned aviation. In the present situation, approximately 1,000 US dollars (drone) cause over 15 million US dollars in property damage (helicopter). In the civilian world, such an incident would probably even end without a perpetrator being identified and prosecuted.
The CLEARDRONE system is able to provide early warning of drones on board aircraft. It also detects the signals from the associated remote control on the ground.
