Ukraine develops software to allow drones to fly without GPS

The Economist has reported that Ukraine’s special forces have developed new software that allows drones to fly without the use of GPS, disrupting Russian jamming efforts.

The AI-enabled Eagle Eyes is designed to allow drones to navigate by machine sight with no need for outside input. According to The Economist, the new software “compares live video of the terrain below with an on-board map stitched together from photographs and video previously collected by reconnaissance aircraft”. This capability enables the drones to continue with their missions even after being jammed. The software can also recognise targets including missile launchers and tanks, and can drop bombs or fly into them without the drone operator needing to give the order.

A Ukrainian special forces commander told The Economist that the software is already being used widely, and is cheap enough to be used on kamikaze drones.