Kargu-2 drones under production at STM, Ankara, Turkey
The world’s first recorded case of an autonomous drone attacking humans took place in March 2020, according to a United Nations (UN) security report detailing the ongoing Second Libyan Civil War. Libyan forces used the Turkish-made drones to “hunt down” and jam retreating enemy forces, preventing them from using their own drones.
The field report…describes how the Haftar Affiliated Forces (HAF), loyal to Libyan Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar, came under attack by drones from the rival Government of National Accord (GNA) forces. After a successful drive against HAF forces, the GNA launched drone attacks to press its advantage. From the report:
Logistics convoys and retreating HAF were subsequently hunted down and remotely engaged by the unmanned combat aerial vehicles or the lethal autonomous weapons systems such as the STM Kargu-2 (above) and other loitering munitions. The lethal autonomous weapons systems were programmed to attack targets without requiring data connectivity between the operator and the munition: in effect, a true “fire, forget and find” capability.
Drone experts have been dreading this moment while advocating for a ban on autonomous attack drones.
Once there is a ban on autonomous attack drones – after much breast beating and pledges of honesty – their use will continue. Of course.
This is, after all, a software question. The capacity for these drones to self-destruct after such a mission is often built-in. Once the command has been entered to hunt down and kill humans relying on the AI of the drone for decision-making, an additional command will be programmed-in instructing the drone to destroy itself afterwards. Starting with wiping the software.
Eideard 
(BBC April 21, 2021): “Mexico cartel used explosive drones to attack police : The drones are thought to be the latest weapons in a deadly war between the drugs cartel and the security forces and vigilantes opposed to them.” https://www.bbc.com/news/world-latin-america-56814501
Also: “…MILENIO [a major national newspaper in Mexico] has documented that organized crime groups, mainly the Jalisco Cartel – New Generation, have intensified in recent months the use of drones loaded with explosives to attack security institutions.
This criminal group has used these devices most frequently in municipalities such as Tepalcatepec, Aguililla and Coalcoman, in the state of Michoacan, but also in the states of Jalisco and Guanajuato. This Wednesday, an armed group of the CJNG used drones in the communities of Taixtán and Plaza Vieja in the municipality of Tepalcatepec, leaving eight members of the army wounded, five of them seriously.” Translation of an article entitled: “SEDENA [The Mexican Secretariat of National Defense] seeks to create gas bullets to neutralize cartel drones” Milenio, November 12, 2021. http://www.borderlandbeat.com/2021/11/government-plans-to-fight-cartel.html
Kamikaze drones: A new weapon brings power and peril to the U.S. military
Some experts believe the spread of low-cost, light-weight “killer” drones will change ground warfare as profoundly as the machine gun did. https://www.nbcnews.com/news/military/kamikaze-drones-new-weapon-brings-power-peril-u-s-military-n1285415
New ‘killer’ drone small enough to fit in backpack.
A revolution in unmanned aerial vehicles is unfolding, and the U.S. has lost its monopoly on the technology.
“How armed drones may have helped turn the tide in Ethiopia’s war : Cheap and efficient drones are increasingly becoming decisive weapons in modern conflicts.” https://www.aljazeera.com/features/2021/12/10/how-armed-drones-may-have-helped-turn-tide-in-ethiopia-conflict
“Inexpensive and effective drones are making themselves felt on battlefields from the Caucusus and the Middle East to North Africa and beyond. The United States, unwilling to share advanced technology, has been sidelined by regional competitors that manufacture armed drones that, while not as efficient, are still able to turn the tide, becoming decisive weapons in any modern conflict.”
“Why Ukraine’s Turkish-made drone became a flashpoint in tensions with Russia” https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2022/01/15/ukraine-russia-drones-turkey/
“…The Bayraktar TB2 drones offer countries stealthy air power at a fraction of the cost of maintaining a traditional air force. They have featured prominently in conflicts in Libya and Syria, but it was perhaps Azerbaijan’s use of them in 2020 against Armenia that offered Ukraine an inspiring model.”
“A drone attack in Abu Dhabi could mark a dangerous turning point for the Middle East. Here’s what to know” https://amp.cnn.com/cnn/2022/01/18/middleeast/uae-abu-dhabi-houthi-yemen-explainer-intl/index.html
Plus: “Oil hits seven-year high as Houthi attack on UAE rattles regional tensions https://www.cnbc.com/2022/01/18/oil-hits-seven-year-high-as-houthi-attack-on-uae-rattles-regional-tensions.html International benchmark Brent crude was trading at $87.75 on Tuesday at 11 a.m. in Abu Dhabi, its highest level since 2014.
“How useful are Turkish-made drones fighting in Ukraine?” https://www.dw.com/en/how-useful-are-turkish-made-drones-fighting-in-ukraine/a-61035894 (includes video)
The Bayraktar TB2 is 6.5 meters (21 feet) long and has a wingspan of 12 meters. It can stay in the air for up to 24 hours and travels at maximum speeds of 220 kilometers an hour (135 miles per hour). In addition to their surveillance capabilities TB2s can deploy up to four laser-guided smart munitions. They are also less expensive than other similar drones. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baykar_Bayraktar_TB2
Ukraine uses Bayraktar TB2 drones to destroy Russian command posts and air defense systems https://www.armyrecognition.com/ukraine_-_russia_invasion_conflict_war/ukrainian_bayraktar_tb2_drones_use_to_destroy_russian_command_post_and_air_defense_systems.html
Ukraine Bayraktar TB2 destroying Russian 9K317 Buk M2 SA-17 command post electronic warfare vehicles (video) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9bqWcrearS0
“Russia has asked China for support in its war against Ukraine, according to two U.S. officials. The request included military aid and equipment, but it’s not clear what specifically Moscow has requested.” https://www.cbsnews.com/news/russia-asks-china-for-military-help-in-war-with-ukraine-u-s-officials-say/
“A U.S. official told CBS News on Monday that the request from the Kremlin to Beijing primarily concerns financial assistance, but Russia also inquired about drones. The Russians seem not to have anticipated that they or Ukraine would deploy drones in this conflict, which is one reason they are asking China about them, according to the U.S. official.
The Ukrainians have been using drones, especially Turkish-made TB2 drones, quite effectively, a senior defense official noted in a background briefing Monday. The drones are used for reconnaissance as well as strikes and have been especially effective against Russian ground movements.”
Mexico: Cartel Jalisco Attacks The National Guard With Explosive Drones (12/8/21) http://www.borderlandbeat.com/2021/12/chinicuila-michoacan-cartel-jalisco.html [includes video]
Cheap but lethal Turkish drones bolster Ukraine’s defenses https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-middle-east-africa-libya-europe-ecb9e820ea4bddb4464d7e8cb40e82fc
U.S. giving Ukraine more drones – a surprisingly lethal weapon in the war against Russia so far https://www.cbsnews.com/news/u-s-giving-ukraine-more-drones-a-surprisingly-lethal-weapon-in-the-war-against-russia-so-far/
What to know about the 100 US ‘Switchblade’ drones heading to Ukraine https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/100-us-switchblade-drones-heading-ukraine/story?id=83490886
Unlike long-range Predator drones, which look similar to small planes and fire missiles at targets, the smallest Switchblade model fits in a rucksack and flies directly into targets to detonate its small warhead.
Less than 2-feet long and weighing only 5.5 pounds, the Switchblade 300 can be launched from a small tube that resembles a mortar, after which it can fly for up to 15 minutes. The larger Switchblade 600 is effective against armored targets and can fly for more than 40 minutes, but weighs 50 pounds, according to the manufacturer.
“Look! Up in the sky! It’s a bird! It’s a plane! It’s a …[sound of explosion]”
Russia is using a new and terrifying weapon in its war against Ukraine: a killer drone that can dive bomb into targets, destroying them with little notice. https://www.stripes.com/theaters/europe/2022-03-26/exploding-kamikaze-drones-usheringnew-era-warfare-ukraine-5487746.html
The Russian kamikaze drones, also known as loitering munitions, will soon be joined on the battlefield by ones sent to Ukrainian forces by the United States, making the war the largest direct conflict between two countries in which they’ve been deployed on both sides. Researchers who specialize in the field say it shows that these drones are becoming the norm in modern warfare, and are likely to make the conflict more deadly and unpredictable. https://www.stripes.com/theaters/europe/2022-03-26/exploding-kamikaze-drones-usheringnew-era-warfare-ukraine-5487746.html
7AM MDT, tomorrow morning, 28th
Small drones are giving Ukraine an unprecedented edge : Consumer drones are having a huge impact on the country’s defense against Russia. https://www.wired.com/story/drones-russia-ukraine-war/
“Drones changed the way the war was supposed to be,” says Valerii Iakovenko, the founder of Ukrainian drone company DroneUA. “It is all about intelligence, collecting and transferring data about enemy troops’ movements or positionings, correcting artillery fire. It is about counter-saboteurs’ actions, and it is of course search-and-rescue operations.” Iakovenko estimates that Ukrainian forces are operating more than 6,000 drones for reconnaissance and says these can link up with Elon Musk’s Starlink satellite systems to upload footage. “In 2014, drones became the center of attention of intelligence units, but their scale cannot be compared to what we see today,” he says. (Russia first began its invasion of Ukraine in 2014 with its annexation of Crimea.)
DroneUA https://www.crunchbase.com/organization/droneua