October 22, 2026: The American military recently allowed commanders to buy drones and let their troops experiment with them. As a result, ROE (Rules of Engagement) were developed, allowing soldiers to use drones to identify and attack targets. Other questions remain, such as what technology enables drones to operate. Each drone, regardless of type, has key technologies. These include onboard flight control systems, sensor data, and external regulatory or operational devices that ensure stability, safety, and compliance with applicable regulations. Troops need commonality across drone types and models in these areas.

Drone FCS (Flight Control Systems) primarily integrate sensors, processors, and actuators to interpret pilot commands and environmental conditions in real time. The FCS relies on accelerometers, gyroscopes, GPS, magnetometers, barometers, cameras, and lidar to provide position, orientation, and environmental data.

The processing unit is a flight controller that runs algorithms to stabilize the drone, adjust motor speeds, and execute maneuvers. Motors and propellers adjust thrust to change altitude, speed, and direction. These systems enable stability, precision, and autonomy, from auto-hover and return-to-home to GPS-guided navigation and obstacle avoidance.

Beyond the drone itself, external systems control when and how drones can operate. FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) Drone Integration Concept of Operations directives describe a process for safe, scalable drone use in American airspace, including BVLOS (Beyond Visual Line of Sight) operations, airspace class rules, and safety standards. Drone operators must comply with registration, flight permits, and airspace restrictions to ensure public safety and lawful operation under the Federal Aviation Administration.

The military uses ISR (Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance) systems to manage drone activity through command-and-control networks, satellite links, and secure communications. These systems manage multiple drones, integrate cross-domain data, and enforce operational security.

A layered system manages drone operations, incorporating onboard sensors, a flight controller, and actuators for real-time flight management. The FAA and other organizations establish operational boundaries and safety rules. Civilian and military command-and-control platforms define drone missions and monitor compliance. Altogether, these systems ensure drones can perform complex tasks safely, legally, and effectively.

An example of how this works in wartime can be seen in Ukraine, where Ukrainian F10 drones, which cost about $600 each, are in use by ground forces. The F10 weighs about 10 kg and carries a 2 kg explosive payload. It has a 30-minute endurance and a top speed of over 100 kilometers per hour. Its maximum range exceeds 40 kilometers, and the operator can be up to 20 kilometers away. Most current drones include targeting software that lets them continue their mission when they are out of range of the controller. At that point, the drone continues toward a target the operator selected. If no target is selected, the drone self-destructs or crashes.

On the plus side, very few drone operators have been lost in the Ukraine War. That’s because operators have a safe space to operate without interruption. An operations team usually includes one or more operators, plus support staff who track the local combat situation and identify targets. After combat units request targets, the assistant checks his tablet or laptop, where data on how many drones they have in the bunker and what type they are stored. Most surveillance and attack drones are FPV, or first-person view. Operators wear goggles with a video screen showing what the drone’s camera sees. The other team members direct the operator to the target. The drone attack often fails because of electronic jamming. When that happens, the operator is given a drone that can home in on the jammer and destroy it. These drone teams have dozens of drones in their bunkers.

On a busy day, the team can use dozens of drones. That means the drone team requires constant resupply. That is the most dangerous job because out in the open, everyone is a target. The Russians are not as adept at this form of drone warfare, but Russian drones are still a threat. Not just for the drone transport crew, but for the drone teams en route to equip another bunker. Some of these are in partially destroyed buildings or bunkers initially built by frontline combat troops. When the troops move on, their bunker becomes available for drone teams. Since the drones can attack targets 10 to 20 kilometers from their bunker, they only need to move to a new bunker if frontline troops move or retreat a significant distance. This is when the drone teams suffer most of their losses.