September 30, 2026: Before the Russian invasion, the Ukrainian A2724 organization developed the Delta battle management system. This system was made public in October 2022. Delta is a cloud-based platform that combines real-time data from satellite stills/video, radar, drone reconnaissance, and HUMINT (civilian and military reports) from the combat zone, displaying it on an interactive digital display. Ukrainian Defense officials point out that Delta is a digital battle management system that gives Ukrainian soldiers, battalions, and brigades a major advantage, as it enables them to observe the combat zone live and quickly know what has to be done next while automatically sharing information within a unit or, if necessary, with NATO allies. This produced dramatic results on the battlefield. Before Delta, once you identified a Russian target, it took about three days to launch an attack. With Delta, it takes seconds, or up to a minute in difficult circumstances.

Delta is a software-based system that can run on any desktop, laptop, tablet, or, in a limited fashion, on a smartphone. The system requires no special hardware and runs on laptops, tablets, or smartphones. That means any soldier or civilian operating near the fighting can contribute or quickly use Delta data. NATO specialists who have seen and used Delta call it militarized Google and urge NATO militaries to adopt and use the system quickly.

Delta does this by capturing video from surveillance drones to provide overall battlefield data, with all Ukrainian troops using the system. The system detects Russian troop positions and adds them to the battle map in real time. This enabled automated warfare, in which enemy targets were assigned to specific Ukrainian units, which then carried out the attacks. This has caused many Russian troops to spend most of their time hiding from the Delta system, because detection usually means death.

Using an AI/Artificial Intelligence system, the Ukrainians can track over 10,000 Russian weapons systems, troop positions, and drone operators each week. The map of these contacts is continually updated as the Russians move or are destroyed. At the same time, Ukrainian commanders can also see the positions and movements of their own troops. This has dramatically reduced the incidents of friendly fire when Ukrainian soldiers are hit by Ukrainian drones or artillery fire.

Earlier this year, Ukrainian drone operators joined in a NATO military exercise in Estonia. As the wargame proceeded, the NATO officers were shocked to see two of their battalions hit repeatedly and rendered ineffective. Ukrainians urged NATO to adopt Delta or develop something similar. After the demonstration, NATO commanders clamored for more information and helpsetting up their own Delta systems.

One of last year’s innovations in drone warfare was the Ukrainian use of AI for drone targeting systems. The AI drone contains a targeting system that finds targets. The AI drone operator confirms which targets are real and, once a target is confirmed, the AI targeting system needs no further communication. It resists all forms of jamming.

Modern warfare has been radically changed by the introduction of First Person View/FPV drones. These drones are an omnipresent aerial threat to armored vehicles and infantry. Each FPV drone costs less than $1,000. Operators use the drone's camera to see below and find targets. Armed FPV operators are several kilometers away to decide when their FPV drones will drop explosives on an armored vehicle, which has thinner armor on top, or infantry in the open or in trenches. To do so, drone operators often work in pairs, with one flying behind the other and focusing on the big picture while seeking a likely target. When the reconnaissance drone finds a target, the armed drone is directed to it. The two FPV drone operators are usually in the same room or tent and can take control of new drones, which are lined up and brought outside for launch when needed. The reconnaissance drones are often unarmed so they can stay in the air longer while searching for a target.