Explained: What Is The Phoenix Ghost Drone That The US Has Given To Ukraine

The Pentagon recently announced that Ukraine will receive new "Phoenix Ghost" drones as part of a 800 million dollars arms deal from the United States. According to Politico, the Pentagon sent a list of necessary materials being sent to Ukraine, that comprised 121 "Phoenix Ghost" drones, as well as howitzers, strategic field gear, and spare parts.

The existence of Phoenix Ghost drones was reported for the first time, however little is known regarding their range or exact characteristics. The drones were well enough for the wide landscape of Ukraine's Donbas area, which is currently at the forefront of Russia's military onslaught, according to Pentagon spokesperson John Kirby.

What is a Phenix Ghost Drone?

Cpl. Alexis Moradian-U.S. Marine Corps

As per Politico, the Phoenix Ghost drones were created by the United States Air Force in collaboration with Aevex Aerospace of California.

The Ghost of the Phoenix "is a unique kind of plane. It's a one-way plane that can take down medium armored surface targets," retired Lt. Gen. David Deptula, a member of the Aevex board, told Politico.

It can be utilized to conduct tactical strikes since it is constructed as a "one-way" mechanism. This signifies that after attacking its target, the drone will self-destruct. The Phoenix Ghost drone is fitted with infrared sensors, enabling it to fly at night without difficulty.

According to Deptula, the drone may operate for up to six hours and also has a higher loitering duration than that of the Switchblade. As per Reuters, Kirby previously told media that the drones were "rapidly produced" for Ukraine, but then explained that manufacturing began well before Russian incursion on February 24.

Similar to Aerovironment Switchblade?

The Phoenix Ghost drone, according to Pentagon spokesman John Kirby, is identical to the Aerovironment Switchblades. The Aerovironment Switchblade and Phoenix Ghost, unlike traditional UAVs, do not aim at a subject from afar. Rather, they charge at the subject, exploding when they get near enough just to destroy it.

An Aerovironment Switchblade, often known as a "kamikaze/suicide drone," is a tube-launched "loitering munition" that consists of a switchblade that wanders aimlessly in the airspace until charging at its subject. This drone is equipped with recording devices in addition to warheads, allowing it to conduct surveillance in hostile areas.

Fortune

Over 400 Aerovironment Switchblades have been sent to Ukraine by the United States. The Phoenix Ghost drone, according to Kirby, has "optics" and can capture "sight photographs." As a result, it can be utilized for aerial reconnaissance as well.

The precise distinctions between both the Aerovironment Switchblade and Phoenix Ghost drone's characteristics are currently unknown. However, the Aerovironment Switchblade can remain in the air for 30-40 minutes and also has a firing reach of 10-40 kilometres, whereas the Phoenix Ghost drone can hang for about six hours which can be utilized to knock out medium-to-small armoured targets on the ground, according to reports.

The range of this category is unknown. According to reports, the Ukrainian military will only need a few hours of training to control the Phoenix Ghost drones. The Ukrainians' previous experience with Aerovironment Switchblades is an added benefit in this respect.

Over 121 Phoenix Ghost UAVs will be delivered to Ukraine to assist the state in combating Russian forces, according to the White House.

Becoming a world of drones?

The MQ-1 Predator UAV had become a symbol of the counter-insurgency operations undertaken by the US in Afghanistan, Iraq, and elsewhere during that time. This coincided with the so-called "uni-polar moment" following the end of the Cold War, when the United States stood all alone uncontested as the world's preeminent superpower.

When the Predator, which was originally designed for surveillance aircraft, was equipped with Hellfire missiles, the drones' symbolic stature skyrocketed. The Reaper, its descendant, was created particularly as a hunter-killer. It has a longer range and can transport more munitions than its predecessor. Their very names make it clear what they're for.

Plugavel

The IAI Heron, developed in Israel, was intended to compete with the Reaper. As per a database published by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), Israel shipped 41% of all UAVs between 2001 and 2011. For a short period of time, such activities were mostly carried out by the United States and Israel (which has its own considerable drone industry). Things have, however, transformed dramatically.

A new phase of drone warfare has already begun, with a slew of new players. China is a growing drone producer and exporter, and its more flexible export policy has helped to fill market gaps. Pakistan, Iraq, and Nigeria all carried out strikes in 2015 using military drones provided by China or developed in collaboration with it.

India and the United Kingdom are the world's leading importers of drones, according to SIPRI's arms transfers database and Statista. India contributed for 22.5 % of UAV imports during 1985 and 2014, as per a Business Insider research report focused on SIPRI statistics. India's drone armament includes both imported and indigenous Unmanned Combat Aerial Vehicles (UCAVs).

According to experts, the employment of UAVs has progressed from counter-terrorism and counter-insurgency operations to full-scale conventional war. While the United States and its allies focused on counter-insurgency activities, Russia utilised Syria as a test bed for incorporating drones into its larger combat strategy.

For more on news and current affairs from around the world please visit Indiatimes News.