Dropla mine countermeasures | In operation checking the data, rechecking it, stitching it, and running it through 10 different neural networks we’ve developed thanks to our testing site, where ‘ground truth’ data with real live munitions buried under soil was available to train said networks. “As for fusing the data together, there are maybe 18 types of sensor-fusion algorithms that work in this application. They each return a different operational picture, but we can run all of them through a sigmoid function to derive probabilities and confidences for each data set, giving a good, aggregated picture of the world, and potential landmines in it, in the end.” The resulting map enables sappers to see not only where potential mines may lie – denoted, for instance, by yellow ‘medium threat’ zones or red ‘high threat’ zones (based on the probability of landmines and their explosive radii) – but also the paths the UGVs have taken, which are marked green because they have been physically confirmed as safe. “There’s no cloud computing used to export data to the AR headsets. Cloud links aren’t efficient or particularly cybersecure. So, we use a closed loop of edge and near-edge devices, with the wagonbased C4 station carrying the processed data and running on a 100 kWh battery pack when deployed in the field with sapper crews,” Shvaydak says. “That wagon also features a 160 A charging outlet, from which any UGVs still operating can be recharged if necessary, given that they’re all hybrid-powered vehicles with batteries.” In the long term, scalability of Dropla’s overall de-mining strategy depends on having more UAVs and UGVs working in tandem (with a rise in the uncrewed vehicle count linearly increasing the number of hectares that can be released per day). Up to 20 UAVs or UGVs can be managed from a single C4 station, as of writing. Quantum future In addition to all these technologies currently available, and the upcoming UAV being engineered in-house, Dropla is developing multi-domain swarming technologies to ensure continued co-ordination and effectiveness in GNSS-denied conditions. This will involve the uncrewed systems communicating with each other, including sharing data from INSs and other navigation sensors, to ensure sub-centimetre precision of landmine detection, even amid jamming and spoofing. Dropla is developing its swarming and navigational technologies as part of a separate project, intended to form a bigger push for navigational resilience in humanitarian drone fleets. “More than anything, we’re most looking forward to being able to incorporate quantum sensing technologies such as SQUIDs [superconducting quantum interference devices, which are highly-sensitive magnetometers, developed for measuring extremely weak magnetic fields] and integrate them into our stack,” Shvaydak says. When combined with a viable quantum computer of 1000 qubits, quantum sensors could drastically increase the accuracy and confidence of Dropla’s landmine detections, and reduce the time taken across the envelope of operations. Regular computers could process the signals coming in from SQUIDs and other quantum sensors, but as Shvaydak says: “They will not have the capabilities of quantum computers, such as those being made by companies such as IQM. “Going forwards, we’ll look into other applications of our AI, quantum and swarm technologies. Our mesh network systems for swarming, for instance, are being designed to a NATO STANAG. “Although de-mining is principally humanitarian work, there’s clear defence potential of our IP. The future of European warfare is uncrewed swarms forming a grand sword and shield to protect Europe’s people. “Dropla is becoming an AI-powered shield, and if readers have additions or suggestions to the technologies described, or relevant experience in the field, I implore them to reach out and make this shield stronger.” 65 Uncrewed Systems Technology | February/March 2025 UAVs: DJI UAVs: Inspired Flight Command and control software: SPH Engineering C4 station development: UXV Technologies Sensing solutions: Inertial Labs Cameras: Sony Magnetic radiometry sensors: Sensys Quantum computing consultations: IQM Batteries: CATL Key suppliers Future technologies to be used in Dropla’s operations include multidomain swarming, and quantum sensing and computing technologies
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