Reader Response Draft #3

In the swiftly evolving realm of modern warfare, commercial drones such as the DJI Mavic 3 Pro have emerged as pivotal tools, transforming the execution of tactical operations and allow the DJI Magic 3 Pro to dominate conflict zones with their range, flight time, cost of operations, and versatility.

As mentioned on the official DJI Webpage (DJI, n.d.), the flagship model of the Mavic 3 line, priced around USD$2,000, offers a special 3-axis gimbal tri-camera system, a 360°-degree sensor suite. The tri – camera system contains a main 4/3 CMOS Hasselblad Camera that can capture up to 20 MP still shots and record footage up to 50fps with 2 additional telephoto cameras of 70mm focal length, giving a 3x zoom, while the other, of 166 mm focal length, allows the user to take footage at 7x zoom and at 4k60 resolution (Kurkowski, 2023). Additionally, 3-axis gimbals allow the Mavic 3 Pro to be a stable platform for photography and videography even during dynamic maneuvers executed by the drone operator (Juniper, 2023). With a maximum flight time of 43 minutes and a transmission distance of 15 km, coupled with a flight range of 28 km (DJI, n.d.), this drone exemplifies versatility in operational scenarios.

Such capabilities enable military forces significant flexibility in executing operations like reconnaissance and fire support (Kirichenko, 2024). As highlighted in an article by WGCU (Myre, 2023), even if the DJI Mavic 3 Pro does not have in-built features to carry and drop munitions,  the forces involved in the conflict can easily modify it to carry a simple explosive that “can be dropped with great precision into trenches filled with troops or directly into the open top of a tank” (Myre, 2023). This adaptation allows for the potential damage or destruction of high-value assets such as tanks and artillery, thereby impeding their deployment in offensive maneuvers (Copp, 2024). Beyond its lethal capabilities, the DJI Mavic 3 Pro can be used for reconnaissance purposes with its range, flight time, and camara functions. This reduces the necessity for dedicated reconnaissance teams and also enables the standard personnel in the military to obtain valuable information such as the correction of fires or even identifying potential enemy concealment. 

Despite their impressive capabilities, the DJI Mavic 3 Pro has some glaring shortcomings. Firstly, drones on the battlefield have a limited range and flight time. While the DJI Mavic 3 Pro can achieve a respectable flight time of 43 minutes and a transmission and flight distance of 15 km and 28 km respectively, external interference on the battlefield can greatly diminish those capabilities. Consequently, the DJI Mavic 3 Pro is a rather short-range asset operating at rather low levels, meant to be used directly by frontline units. Additionally, adversarial electronic warfare poses a risk as it could disrupt or even break up the link between the pilot and drone (Collett-White, Scarr, & Char, n.d.). While such systems are not widespread on frontline positions where the DJI Mavic 3 Pro is used, the development of smaller, portable electronic countermeasures aims to impede drone usage. Compounding on the issues would be the vulnerability of drone pilots to detection. According to “DJI insisted drone-tracking AeroScope signals were encrypted — now it admits they aren’t” and “DJI drones, Ukraine, and Russia — what we know about AeroScope” written by Sean Hollister (Hollister, 2022A) (Hollister, 2022B), AeroScope was meant to be a system that allows ease in finding the drones used in any malicious intent harming public safety. To enable this system to function, “every DJI drone broadcasts a signal that specialized receivers can use to decipher the drone’s position and the position of its pilot.” However, it has been revealed that there is no encryption of the signal. This means that anyone with the knowledge and expertise can easily tap into the signal, identifying the source (the operator) and launch a counter-strike mission to kill the operator.  

In summary, while the DJI Mavic 3 Pro has already demonstrated its superiority in certain contexts, particularly illustrated by its use in Ukraine, essential improvements are required. Specifically, enhancing signal security and operational resilience against electronic warfare tactics will be crucial. Only by addressing these shortcomings can the DJI Mavic 3 Pro truly assert its dominance in conflict zones.


References

Collett-White, M., Scarr, S., & Char, P. (n.d.). How drone combat in Ukraine is changing warfare. Retrieved from Reuters: https://www.reuters.com/graphics/UKRAINE-CRISIS/DRONES/dwpkeyjwkpm/

Copp, T. (April, 2024). Ukraine pulls US-provided Abrams tanks from the front lines over Russian drone threats. Retrieved from AP News: https://apnews.com/article/ukraine-russia-war-abrams-tanks-19d71475d427875653a2130063a8fb7a

DJI. (n.d.). Retrieved from DJI Mavic 3 Pro: https://store.dji.com/sg/product/dji-mavic-3-pro?vid=137691 

Hollister, S. (23 Mar, 2022A). DJI drones, Ukraine, and Russia — what we know about AeroScope. Retrieved from The Verge: https://www.theverge.com/22985101/dji-aeroscope-ukraine-russia-drone-tracking

Hollister, S. (29 Apr, 2022B). DJI insisted drone-tracking AeroScope signals were encrypted — now it admits they aren’t. Retrieved from The Verge: https://www.theverge.com/2022/4/28/23046916/dji-aeroscope-signals-not-encrypted-drone-tracking

Juniper, A. (25 April, 2023). DJI Mavic 3 Pro review: can the three-eyed drone see all you need? Retrieved from Digital Camera World: https://www.digitalcameraworld.com/reviews/dji-mavic-3-pro-review-can-the-three-eyed-drone-see-all-you-need#section-key-features

Kirichenko, D. (May, 2024). ANALYSIS: Future of Drones on Ukraine Battlefield. Retrieved from Kyiv Post: https://www.kyivpost.com/analysis/32482

Kurkowski, S. (11 May, 2023). Mavic 3 Pro first impressions: How did they make the best drone better? Retrieved from DroneDJ: https://dronedj.com/2023/05/11/mavic-3-pro-first-impressions-how-did-they-make-the-best-drone-better/

Lee, R. (May, 2022). Video of Ukrainian UAVs dropping small munitions on Russian troops in Kharkiv Oblast. X .

Morbi, J. (5 Dec, 2011). Modern Warfare: The Introduction of Predator Drones. Retrieved from E-International Relations: https://www.e-ir.info/2011/12/05/modern-warfare-the-introduction-of-predator-drones/

Myre, G. (May, 2023). A Chinese drone for hobbyists plays a crucial role in the Russia-Ukraine war. Retrieved from WGCU: https://news.wgcu.org/2023-03-21/a-chinese-drone-for-hobbyists-plays-a-crucial-role-in-the-russia-ukraine-war

 

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