Samuel Bendett
@sambendett.bsky.social
Uncrewed, autonomous, robotic systems and Artificial Intelligence. Russian and Ukrainian weapons development. CNA, CNAS and CSIS. Opinions my own.
This is about extracting a potentially high cost with relative low investment in a worse case scenario.
November 3, 2025 at 6:13 PM
This is about extracting a potentially high cost with relative low investment in a worse case scenario.
Some pilots are already available among drug cartels…
November 3, 2025 at 6:02 PM
Some pilots are already available among drug cartels…
And this tactic is also contingent on Venezuela having many experienced FPV drone pilots, which are still in short supply everywhere.
November 3, 2025 at 6:01 PM
And this tactic is also contingent on Venezuela having many experienced FPV drone pilots, which are still in short supply everywhere.
November 3, 2025 at 5:42 PM
The FPV idea makes tactical sense, with Ukraine war as a backdrop, in terms of using cheap numerous drones against a superior military adversary. Venezuela has not signaled if it actually has any FPV drones to date in it’s arsenal.
November 3, 2025 at 5:42 PM
The FPV idea makes tactical sense, with Ukraine war as a backdrop, in terms of using cheap numerous drones against a superior military adversary. Venezuela has not signaled if it actually has any FPV drones to date in it’s arsenal.
You would think so, but...
November 2, 2025 at 2:54 PM
You would think so, but...
11/ “We want space to actually innovate and do drone shit,” as one drone operator said, according to Ecelbarger’s memo."
October 30, 2025 at 3:26 PM
11/ “We want space to actually innovate and do drone shit,” as one drone operator said, according to Ecelbarger’s memo."
10/ "Other feedback included the need for organizational restructuring to improve joint training and an urgent need for the Pentagon to invest in scaling “as many cheap systems as possible” that can be “lost or destroyed without fear of punitive action or depleting a unit’s operation inventory.”
October 30, 2025 at 3:26 PM
10/ "Other feedback included the need for organizational restructuring to improve joint training and an urgent need for the Pentagon to invest in scaling “as many cheap systems as possible” that can be “lost or destroyed without fear of punitive action or depleting a unit’s operation inventory.”
9/ The event produced significant feedback directly from drone operators. Specifically, operators reported the need for official senior leader education to better understand drone technology and implementation, leaning on experience gained by home-grown drone users popping up around the force."
October 30, 2025 at 3:25 PM
9/ The event produced significant feedback directly from drone operators. Specifically, operators reported the need for official senior leader education to better understand drone technology and implementation, leaning on experience gained by home-grown drone users popping up around the force."
8/ "Ecelbarger said that the crucible was designed as a “crawl” stage for future competitions and that “teams were provided with qualitative feedback and awarded performance certificates based on their individual teams’ contributions, highlighting areas of excellence.”
October 30, 2025 at 3:25 PM
8/ "Ecelbarger said that the crucible was designed as a “crawl” stage for future competitions and that “teams were provided with qualitative feedback and awarded performance certificates based on their individual teams’ contributions, highlighting areas of excellence.”
7/ Ecelbarger said the USNDA will hold crucible events every 90 days. “We will continue providing a venue for Rangers, SEALS, and Marines to defeat each other, so we can collectively learn from each other, before we send them all into the next real-world conflict.”
October 30, 2025 at 3:24 PM
7/ Ecelbarger said the USNDA will hold crucible events every 90 days. “We will continue providing a venue for Rangers, SEALS, and Marines to defeat each other, so we can collectively learn from each other, before we send them all into the next real-world conflict.”