We didn’t get enough out of him the first time round, so Karl is back to dive a bit deeper into the challenges and opportunities around the FPV capability. And not least how FPV racing can support a lot of the lines of development required by militaries to successfully adopt this emerging technology.
In a wide ranging conversation, we get down into the weeds of how defence needs to develop skills and competencies, whilst exploring the real world capabilities of FPV drones. We also discuss recruitment, and explore how this technology might affect future orbats for fighting forces.
Naturally, some push back can be expected to any new technology. Karl discusses some of the objections commonly shared in this field, as well as the arguments to combat them.
What is clear is that the technology can’t be ignored, but there is a lot of work to be done to understand how best to employ this capability. What is fascinating is the sport of FPV drone racing has a lot of synergies to what defence is trying to do in this space, not least as a mechanism to drive understanding, showcase operational capability and foster the skills and experience that will be vital for successful deployment.
Episode Sponsor: MiDRT 24 (Military International Drone Racing Tournament)
The Military International Drone Racing Tournament (MIDRT) 2024 is a major event in London from September 16-20, bringing together military personnel skilled in first-person view (FPV) drone racing. The event includes a tournament, conference, exhibition, and hackathon, attracting top experts in UAS (Unmanned Aerial Systems) technology. It serves as a platform for allied military forces, industry leaders, and innovators to exchange ideas on the future of battlefield drone applications. MIDRT aims to advance military drone racing and small-UxS technology.
