Backpack Drones: Tactical Integration Based on the Ukrainian Example
In February 2022, Ukrainian forces deployed a commercially available DJI Mavic drone over Irpin. Initially referred to as a recreational “wedding drone,” this system quickly became a standard reconnaissance asset in trench warfare operations.
Observation-to-Impact Acceleration
Using the Kropyva application, real-time visual feeds are integrated into digital fire coordination systems. This reduces the time between target detection and engagement to under one minute. Counter-battery responses can be initiated within 30 seconds. The reduced cycle time explains the operational preference for low-cost multirotor drones over manned reconnaissance platforms.
Thermal Imaging for 24/7 Surveillance
Thermal sensors provide constant situational awareness. These systems detect heat signatures, identify concealed personnel, and support both offensive and defensive positioning. As a result, Ukrainian training centers now include dedicated thermal surveillance instruction in UAV curricula.
Low-Cost Precision Strike
Commercial racing drone frames are repurposed for First-Person-View (FPV) strike missions. These platforms are equipped with an explosive payload, camera, and control headset, and are capable of neutralizing armored or artillery targets at close range. Production costs range from several hundred to a few thousand USD. Additionally, loitering munitions with fixed wings operate at higher altitudes, engaging high-value targets such as radar systems or command infrastructure.
Operational Constraints for Opposing Forces
Persistent drone activity requires enemy units to adopt continuous camouflage and dispersion tactics. Concentrated equipment movements are quickly identified and targeted. This disrupts operational tempo and imposes additional logistical burdens.
Cost-Effectiveness and Scalability
An FPV drone costing approximately $1,000 can deliver comparable operational effects to a Javelin missile priced over $100,000, without exposing the operator to direct risk. This cost-performance asymmetry aligns with Ukraine’s strategic emphasis on scalable production. According to the Ministry of Strategic Industries, up to 3 million drones per year can be manufactured.
Institutional Integration
In 2024, Ukraine established the Uncrewed System Forces, the first military branch solely dedicated to uncrewed aerial and ground systems. This reorganization reduced approval cycles for new equipment from over two years to six weeks. Concurrently, training institutions such as Victory Drones and Dronarium have certified thousands of operators in UAV deployment, thermal observation, and night operations.
Recommendations for Operational Environments
• Utilize Commercial-Off-the-Shelf (COTS) Equipment
Immediate availability and cost efficiency outweigh delayed acquisition of specialized military systems.
• Prioritize Human-System Training
The effectiveness of the platform is dependent on the skill of its operator.
• Shorten Innovation Timelines
Deployment of viable concepts must occur within operationally relevant timeframes.
• Evaluate by Cost-Per-Effect
Tactical tools should be assessed based on operational impact per monetary unit, not individual price.
Conclusion
Drones deployed from backpacks now function as an organic extension of ground forces, offering reconnaissance, precision engagement, and 24-hour observation capabilities. Integration of commercial drones, supported by structured training and responsive logistics, constitutes a scalable and effective component of contemporary tactical operations.
Why CBRN Training Is Essential — From Theory to Survival
In today’s complex security environment, threats are no longer limited to conventional attacks. CBRN incidents — Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear — are silent, invisible, and often misunderstood by those untrained.
This is why structured, scenario-based CBRN training is not just a requirement — it is a mission-critical skillset.
Why is CBRN training vital?
• CBRN and Toxic Industrial Material (TIM) incidents demand an immediate, error-free response — there’s no time for hesitation or confusion.
• Past events like the chemical train disaster in Wetteren (Belgium) or the Fukushima nuclear incident highlight that CBRN is not limited to the battlefield.
• Early symptoms of chemical or biological exposure are often subtle — but can escalate fatally in minutes.
• A single operator failing a 9-second gas mask drill, a filter change, or a buddy check could jeopardize an entire team.
• Deployed personnel must master self-aid and buddy-aid techniques under extreme physical and psychological pressure.
At EX ARMA SCIENTIA, we integrate the core elements of the CBRN syllabus into our applied tactical modules:
✔️ The 9-second gas mask drill
✔️ Proper use of DUODOTE, DOUBLEPEN, and DIAZEPAM auto-injectors
✔️ Immediate skin decontamination using RSDL and powder gloves
✔️ Identification and classification of CBRN agents through visual cues
✔️ Stress inoculation drills incorporating fatigue, movement, and decision-making
✔️ Threat level understanding and IPEC (Individual Protective Equipment Code) usage
✔️ Full equipment familiarity including 3rd Gen CBRN suits and SOR/T dosimeters
CBRN is not science fiction — it is a harsh reality in modern conflict, terrorism, and industrial failure.
All personnel deployed in operational theaters must be ready — not just with gear, but with conditioned reflexes.
Drills build confidence. Training hardens instinct. In CBRN scenarios, that difference can mean life or death.
Prepare. Repeat. Understand. React.
The Importance of Regular Recertification in Tactical Emergency Casualty Care (TECC)
In a high-risk, urban environment like Brussels, Tactical Emergency Casualty Care (TECC) isn’t a luxury, it’s a necessity. TECC forms the backbone of medical response in tactical operations and critical incidents, where speed, efficiency, and skill quite literally make the difference between life and death.
That’s why organizing regular recertification sessions is not an optional extra, but an essential part of every operator’s preparation and readiness.
These sessions aren’t just about refreshing knowledge they are about reinforcing fundamental skills: stopping major bleeding, managing airways, and recognizing respiratory threats. By consistently practicing these interventions, we condition not only ourselves but our teammates. Under stress, we don’t rise to the level of our expectations we fall to the level of our training.
In TECC training, we place particular emphasis on the first three components of the MARCH protocol:
M – Massive hemorrhage
A – Airway
R – Respirations
These are responsible for the vast majority of preventable deaths. Failure to act quickly in these phases often results in lost seconds and lost lives. In an urban setting, where proximity to hospitals does not guarantee rapid care, the first minutes are critical.
Recertification reinforces the mindset of the tactical first responder: rapid assessment, correct intervention, and staying mentally engaged under pressure.
Because TECC is not just medical training it’s tactical survival.
Keep training. Keep repeating. Stay ready.
Low / No Light Shooting – Practical Considerations for Training
FBI statistics indicate that most lethal encounters occur at night, in low or no light, with an average of three shots fired in under three seconds. Despite this, the majority of training takes place in daylight or in well-lit environments, which creates a gap between real-world conditions and training settings.
Understanding light and darkness is essential. Various forms of light—direct, indirect, ambient, reflected, and natural—can significantly influence visual perception and target identification. Proper training under these conditions allows for better tactical decision-making and threat management.
Initial training should include theoretical modules that explain how lighting conditions affect both visibility and detectability. This foundation supports the practical application of low-light shooting techniques.
Flashlights play a critical role in low-light environments. When used in combination with a firearm, a flashlight provides not only illumination but also a tactical advantage. It helps in identifying threats and may temporarily disorient an aggressor.
Common handheld flashlight shooting techniques include:
One-handed techniques : FBI, Neck Index, …
Two-handed techniques : Harris, Surefire, …
Selection of the appropriate technique depends on individual preference, equipment, and operational context.
Tips for one-handed shooting include:
Slight inward cant of the firearm for skeletal alignment
Front-to-back grip pressure for control
Directing the muzzle steadily toward the target
Training in low or no light should be a regular part of firearms proficiency development. It prepares individuals for realistic conditions and minimizes performance gaps during actual incidents.
The Importance of TCCC in Annual Operational Readiness Training in the Military
Tactical Combat Casualty Care (TCCC) is a vital component of annual operational readiness training within the military. In operational environments where every second counts, the right medical knowledge and rapid intervention can mean the difference between life and death. It is therefore essential that military personnel are not only capable of treating themselves but are also able to condition and assist their teammates in tactical situations, ensuring the highest chance of survival until they reach the medical chain for further care.
TCCC specifically focuses on providing medical care under hostile conditions, where standard procedures are often not possible. The training is structured around three phases: Care Under Fire, Tactical Field Care, and Tactical Evacuation Care.
• Care Under Fire teaches how to perform lifesaving interventions under direct enemy fire, such as applying a tourniquet to stop life-threatening bleeding.
• Tactical Field Care focuses on the stabilization of casualties once the tactical situation allows, including airway management, treating shock, and controlling injuries.
• Tactical Evacuation Care covers the safe and efficient transport of casualties to higher levels of medical care.
By training TCCC annually, we ensure that every soldier is prepared for critical situations and capable of taking effective action under pressure. This not only increases individual survivability but also enhances team resilience and directly contributes to the unit’s operational effectiveness.
In combat, you cannot rely solely on rear medical support the first minutes are often decisive. That’s why mastering TCCC is not an option, but a necessity for every operational soldier.