Ukraine used AI-powered drones to target Russian bomber aircraft in Operation Spider Web
Ukraine reportedly used AI-powered autonomous drones to attack Russian bomber aircraft across multiple airbases in an operation codenamed 'Spider's Web'. The drones, developed by Ukraine's Brave1 defence tech cluster, used the SmartPilot system for autonomous targeting without human intervention. The operation damaged or destroyed over 40 Russian bombers including strategic Tu-95 and Tu-22M3 aircraft, according to Ukrainian SBU sources speaking to the BBC. The strikes targeted airbases spanning thousands of kilometres, with each sortie costing approximately $10,000.
- Organisation involved
- Ukrainian government (Security Service of Ukraine)
- Product, system or model
- SmartPilot system
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