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DanielR Profile picture
@DanielR33187703
Nov 10, 2024 • 5 tweets • 2 min read • Read on X
1. Is this captured Ukrainian drone special? A view of the front shows a forward-facing camera and plastic covers but it is otherwise unremarkable. Image
2. A few of the underside of the drone shows a cooling fan. This is somewhat unusual on these small drones. What is the fan for? Image
3. The inside reveals a surprise. There is an artificial intelligence module connected to the camera. The HDMI interface suggests the camera has high resolution. Image
4. The AI module is a Coral AI Developer board made by Google. It costs US$150 and has many capabilities including object detection and tracking. Potentially it could provide automation, e.g., terminal guidance. How well this works in warfare is not publicly known. Image
5. The make of the camera interface board was not identified. Also not clear is if this drone is a commercial offering or if it is custom or a modification. If you recognise either, please comment.
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More from @DanielR33187703

DanielR Profile picture
Mar 21
1. This is a look at a small russian company that operates in China and exports military equipment to russia. One interesting aspect is this company manufactures some equipment, including electronic warfare kit, and places its logo on the products. Image
2. It currently calls itself “PGI Technology” but there are also references to “Dongguan PGI Technology”. Its location is murky but a now-defunct website gave an address in Tangxia Town in Dongguan. Image
3. This is a very small company likely run by the single person shown here. He is easily identified by a distinctive tattoo on his left arm. Oddly, his face is obscured in some videos but not in others. Here he is testing a drone jammer. Image
Read 18 tweets
DanielR Profile picture
Feb 21
1. Combining a low-cost drone with a fibre-optic communication link produces a formidable weapon that is impervious to electronic defenses. Here is a look at how a small Chinese company called Skywalker developed an easy-to-use fibre-optic kit that has changed the war. Image
2. Skywalker posted several videos while developing fibre optics for drones. The first was a short-range, e.g. 100 metres, test in June 12, 2024. The spool of fibre optic was not on the drone but remained on the ground. A rod prevented the fibre from tangling in the propellers. Image
3. The first video also showed a number of landmarks that help determine its location. The large building in the background is part of a pharmaceutical industrial park. Image
Read 33 tweets
DanielR Profile picture
Feb 16
1. Part 3 of Making Money from a War visits an office with a fantastic view. The Chinese company, Skywalker posted a number of videos including one from a fancy office building. A close look produces questions. Image
2. Skywalker posted a video showing how to attach a bomb release to a pricey (€13500) DJI Matrice 300 drone. It holds two rounds under the drone with a control module mounted on the top of the drone. There is also an excellent view from the office windows. Image
3. One question is, where is this office? The shadows suggest this view is towards the west. There is a straight road close to a water front and a group of very tall buildings is seen in the distance. A large, low building is at the bottom of the photo. Image
Read 16 tweets
DanielR Profile picture
Feb 13
1. Part 1 of this series looked at a video posted by the Chinese company Skywalker Technology. The video pointed to a company called DSTech UAS. Part 1 showed their factory and offices. Image
2. Now that the company with three names (DSI Drone System Innos, DSTech UAS, Dongshengtai Technology) has been introduced, let’s look at what they are up to. They make their own fixed-wing drones starting with moulds. Image
3. Making these drones involves a lot of hand work: notice the lack of powered equipment. Here, vacuum bags are used to press the material into the mould. This company uses both fibreglass and carbon fibre for its drones. Image
Read 15 tweets
DanielR Profile picture
Feb 12
A number of companies have been making money from the war in Ukraine. This is a series of threads that look at various videos posted by two companies who supply equipment related to drones. The goal is to obtain a better idea of what is happening. Image
1. The Chinese company Skywalker Technology sells kits for controlling drones using fibre optics. Shown here is a quadrotor with a spool holding a few km of optical fibre. The fibre leads to a base station so control signals can be sent to the drone and video sent back. Image
2. In April 2024 Skywalker posted a video showing a heavy drone carrying mortar shells over what appears to be an abandoned building site beside an orchard and greenhouses. There are logos for Skywalker and a company called Drone System Innos (DSI). Who is DSI? Image
Read 21 tweets
DanielR Profile picture
Dec 10, 2024
1. A good defense against a drone is another drone. Both Ukraine and russia are developing net launchers that tangle an enemy drone’s propellers. Shown here is a russian-designed net launcher made largely from 3D-printed components. These are carried by a drone. Image
2. When triggered, four springs eject four weights that are attached to the net. The net simply hangs below this launcher. The release is a ring that slides upwards when moved by a servo. Image
3. This gives a better view of the release mechanism. The release is a ring that prevents the 4 weights from being ejected by the springs. This ring is connected to the servo via a link. The servo can then pull the release ring upwards along the cylindrical body of the launcher. Image
Read 7 tweets

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