By David Hambling
Publication Date: 2026-01-02 15:39:00
Vryiy’s latest FPV drone features TFL’s autonomy module, allowing it to hit targets even if the operator loses communication
TFL
Ukraine is making extensive use of AI-powered attack drones, and they are breaking through Russian forces at a dramatic rate.
In the commercial world, AI has experienced regular “AI winters” where the technology underperformed and, as a result, suffered a period of sidelined and underinvestment. The same thing happened with AI-powered drones, after a false start in 2024, when manufacturers promised a lot but didn’t deliver. Now Ukraine is producing a new generation of automated attack drones on a large scale, and they are bringing new levels of destructive power with minimal human oversight.
2024: Too much too soon
The first generation of AI-powered drones appeared in early 2024. These made extensive use of off-the-shelf image processing technologies such as the popular YOLO software and ran on the cheapest hardware such as the Raspberry Pi for under $50…
