From Lithuania with love: how Granta Automony drones are changing war
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Deep Dive
What makes Granta Autonomy's drones different from other drone companies?
Granta Autonomy focuses on developing critical components like jamming-resilient datalinks, inertial systems for GNSS-denied environments, and advanced gimbals. Unlike companies that assemble off-the-shelf parts, Granta designs and tests these components in-house, ensuring high performance in combat scenarios.
How has Granta Autonomy's technology been tested in real combat environments?
Granta Autonomy tested its drones on the front lines in Ukraine, facing both Ukrainian and Russian jammers. The company's jamming-resilient datalinks and other components were proven effective in these harsh conditions, providing valuable insights for further development.
What are the limitations of drone technology in modern warfare?
Limitations include operating in GNSS-denied environments, where precise target coordinates are hard to maintain. However, advancements in optical navigation and jamming-resistant technologies are expected to overcome these challenges within a year or two.
How has the feedback from Ukrainian forces influenced Granta Autonomy's drone development?
Feedback from Ukrainian forces led Granta to shift from fixed-wing drones to more versatile copters, which can cover longer distances and are cheaper to produce. This feedback also pushed the development of drones capable of reaching targets up to 30 kilometers or more.
What role do drones play in the broader geopolitical landscape, particularly for the Baltic states?
Drones have become a game changer in modern warfare, with countries like Lithuania integrating FPV drones into their armed forces. They are seen as essential for future conflicts, offering cost-effective and precise solutions for reconnaissance and combat, especially in regions close to potential threats like Russia.
What ethical considerations arise with the increasing autonomy of drone technology?
The primary ethical concern is the potential for drones to autonomously decide targets, raising questions about accountability and the risk of unintended casualties. While Granta Autonomy avoids full autonomy in decision-making, there is a fear that adversaries may not adhere to the same ethical standards.
How has Lithuania's innovation ecosystem supported Granta Autonomy's growth?
Since 2022, Lithuania has seen a surge in defense-focused companies and venture capital funds, driven by the need for advanced military technologies. This shift has attracted skilled engineers motivated to work on defense projects, fostering a supportive environment for companies like Granta Autonomy.
What are the key features of Granta Autonomy's Hornet XR and Mosquito drones?
The Hornet XR is a reconnaissance drone, while the Mosquito is an FPV drone. Both feature jamming-resilient radio links and terminal guidance, allowing them to autonomously lock onto targets even if the operator loses control. These features make them highly effective in combat scenarios.
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