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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
Apr 23
1. Developing a new weapon is hard so why not just copy another company’s design? Fibre optic drones are a hot product and part 4 of this series looked at a company (Skywalker) who developed their own. Other companies have rushed to make similar weapons. Image
2. Here are two fibre optics kits made by the Chinese company, Skywalker. Opening the boxes is the likely owner of PGI Technology, which operates in China but is effectively russian. Initially, this photo was confusing. Was Skywalker collaborating with PGI Technology? Nope. Image
3. PGI bought these two Skywalker kits with the goal of copying the technology and selling their own version. The following photos are very unusual since they show the design process. Here is the Skywalker canister with a large drone frame. Image
Read 25 tweets
DanielR Profile picture
Apr 4
1. Need to ship weapons? The previous thread in this series showed a small russian company, PGI Technology, making electronic warfare systems in China. But how do they ship these systems & other equipment to russia? Image
2. PGI Technology showed this photo of equipment being prepared to ship from China to russia. The packing tape has a company name & phone number on it. Note the Wallace restaurant and #24 bus across the street. Image
3.PGI also showed a video of this heater but it is the background that is interesting. Visible is the company name (3188 Kapro) and a phone number. There are also signs on the steps written in russian. Image
Read 14 tweets
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

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