They are small, hard to catch and, as a substance of fact, they are spreading fear in enemy ranks – so says the Commandant of the Unmanned Air Ship Training Centre “The Phantom”. It was formed by the 15th Mechanized Brigade. “The Phantom” is preparing instructors who will be training soldiers of different divisions from next year on the basis of their own courses.
– The request to establish an unmanned aircraft training centre was noted by the Head of the Reconnaissance Section (S2), but besides the commander of various battalions and companies. The centre is made up of young people raised on technological innovations. They joined the army with circumstantial competences and want to further make in the field of BSP, the digital planet and artificial intelligence," he says. Brig-Gen Mirosław Spurek, Commander of the 15th Giant Mechanicalised Brigade. This is how “The Phantom” was created, which combines the passion of young soldiers and the needs of the army.
See more, hit me out of the blue
Where did the name of the facility come from? – According to the dictionary, “the wild” is simply a frightening figure with an unprecise appearance. In my opinion, specified a word reflects the character of micro class drones, says the commander of the fresh centre (because of the specificity of the service we do not uncover the name of the officer). – It is simply a small, hard to capture drones that abruptly appear and disappear. They origin harm or let the operator to get information about the situation in the field of action. And at the same time, as a ghost, they are spreading fear in enemy ranks," the officer adds. Microdrons are utilized more frequently by soldiers from lower level units – battalions or companies.
The “Symbol” BSP Centre formally began to operate at the turn of September and October in the Giżycko and Orish garrison. Currently, military posts are not assigned to it, but brigade command hopes that in the future a full-time sub-unit, e.g. a 120-member company composed of drone operators, will be able to work for the full brigade. Before that happens, however, the “Symbol” will start specialised training to guarantee that as many soldiers from different subdivisions (recognitions, bomb squads, tank battalions, etc.) are ready to execute tasks utilizing unmanned micro-class aircraft.
Talk about tiny drones available to any civilian who can legally control them after completing respective formalities, e.g. gaining A1/A3 level privileges, which can be obtained by registering on the website of the civilian Aviation Authority. “Our centre is made up of both enthusiasts who pilot commercial reflection drones as well as FPV platform supporters,” says the commander “The Phantoms”. This is about drones, which usually request to be assembled from public parts according to their own needs (e.g. they vary in size, speed, range), and they are controlled by a controller and peculiar goggles. Thanks to them, the drone operator watches the flight like from the compartment of the ship (hence the name FPV – First individual View, a view from the position of the first person).
First instructors
“The Phantom” has already started with the activity. She began by preparing an instructor's staff, which, based on the first courses, will train soldiers of different divisions from next year. In the planet of drones you can have different specialties, e.g. to be a pilot, navigator, constructor, specialist in information systems or 3D printing. The chief of the center notes that the courses will not be intended for soldiers who treat drone piloting as entertainment. – The drone operator must have cognition at the appropriate level from different fields. If necessary, it must be able to operate not only with a drone, but also, for example, replace any part or make the structure itself. Getting acquainted with the BSP pilot with communication systems or basics of drone construction is not as hard and demanding as retraining a gunman in a tank driver," the officer adds.
Ukraine sets an example
During the preparations for the creation of the “Spirits”, soldiers utilized Ukrainian experiences. Z Due to the war, FPV flying platforms have gained large popularity over our east border as kamikaze drones, although soldiers besides frequently usage them to drop grenades or improvised explosives. – In Ukraine, the usage of drones and their function in tactical operations have changed dramatically since 2022. It started with commercial platforms utilized for reconnaissance, and later started utilizing FPV to destruct targets, make dumps. Now there are besides drones, which usage fibre optics or drones supported by artificial intelligence, says the head of the centre. He stresses that along with this advancement Ukrainians have developed their production capacity. “A tiny mill where at the beginning of the war 1 individual made respective drones a week, after a fewer months it turned into a workshop producing even a 100 drones a day,” added the officer.
The fresh training centre created in 15 GBZ is based not only on cognition from Ukraine, but besides on the exchange of experiences with Polish and abroad soldiers who increasingly scope for microdrons on Natov exercises and in regular service.
Unspeakable
The enthusiasts, creating a fresh resort, utilized their own equipment and cognition they gained after hours. However, the brigade provides real support in the form of the essential tools or courses preparing for fresh tasks. With the assistance of the Armed Forces Support Inspectorate and military business units “The Phantom” will shortly be equipped with drones and 3D printers. Even a drone laboratory with equipment essential to construct and repair micro-class BSP, manufacture spare parts and test proprietary solutions will be created. For example, in the context of mechanisms utilized in FPV drones to carry loads.
– I think that by the beginning of next year we will become self-sufficient in this respect. The operation of the centre and the training organised in it will not depend on tenders and waiting for equipment or spare parts – says Captain Wojciech Jabłoński of the Gżycka brigade staff. This solution is enjoyed by the commander of the “Spirit”. "The example of Ukraine shows that while in peace, the military can trust on the ready-made solutions provided by the manufacturer, in times of crisis 1 must think and act out of character. 1 of the Natov initiatives assumed that Ukraine would receive ready-made shock drones with a burden that would be armed on site. What do Ukrainians do? The modified BWP or mortar shells are installed for self-built unmanned vehicles, due to the fact that they have at hand in large quantities – the officer points out.
The “Zywa” BSP Training Centre is simply a task scheduled for years. Gen. Spurek points out that it will function independently of the exercises and operations performed by BSP operators of the higher classes with which the brigade is equipped, e.g. Orbiter-2B, Visionfinder.
