Battle for Aerial Dominance: Drones and Modern Warfare

IRIA Staff - July 3, 2024

High-tech weapons and advanced battle equipment have changed the dynamics of modern-day warfare. Now militaries can carry out surveillance, air raids, and attacks on their enemies from hundreds of miles away using drone technology.

The U.S. Navy was the first to test the possibility of a pilotless aircraft in battle scenarios. They began experimenting with radio-controlled (RC) aircraft as early as the 1930s. In 1937, Curtis Aircraft developed N2C-2, the world’s first-ever remotely piloted aircraft. Due to the short range of radio control signals, the N2C-2 could only be controlled through another aircraft, which killed the whole purpose of using drones in military operations.

Some early RC aircraft models were used by the U.S. Army Air Corps for mid-air target practice. Combining the maneuverability of an RC aircraft with the idea of cruise missiles, American aerospace company McDonnell built TD2T Katydid, the first-ever radio-controlled target drone that could carry a warhead.

The use of unmanned aerial vehicles in modern security scenarios plays an important role in surveillance, reconnaissance, aerial raids, and finding target coordinates. The ever-evolving drone technology provides a promising replacement for the depleting number of skilled combat pilots all around the world.

The Russia-Ukraine war has unveiled how drones have completely transformed the modern-day battlefield. Ranging from compact palm-sized drones to ones exceeding the weight of 454 kilograms, Russia and Ukraine have developed and obtained a varied array of remotely piloted aircraft to disrupt and impede the enemy’s military actions.

It was also during the Russia-Ukraine war that the world has seen the effectiveness of First Person View (FPV) drones on the battlefield. FPV drones, equipped with cameras that provide real-time video feeds to operators, offer valuable reconnaissance capabilities, allowing forces to gather intelligence, monitor enemy movements, and assess battlefield situations with enhanced situational awareness.

These drones provide a direct perspective of the operational environment, enabling more informed decision-making and tactical maneuvers for both Ukrainian and Russian forces. As a result, FPV drones have emerged as essential tools in modern warfare, shaping the strategies and outcomes of the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine.

Nations around the world are investing in and developing drone technologies to bolster their defense capabilities and adapt to the evolving nature of conflicts. As the reliance on drone warfare grows, it continues to reshape military strategies, tactics, and the overall conduct of armed conflicts worldwide.


Here is the list of the most advanced and lethal combat drones currently used by militaries around the world.

1. MQ-9 Reaper

2. TAI Aksungur

3. Hongdu GJ-11 Sharp Sword

4. S-70 Okhotnik B

5. RQ-4 Global Hawk

6. Wing Loong III

7. Shahed 129

8. Kronshtadt Orion

9. Elbit Hermes 900

10. Turkish Aerospace Anka-3


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