// UNMANNED SYSTEMS AND NEXT-GEN WARFARE TERM
One-Way Attack Drone
A one-way attack drone is an unmanned aerial vehicle designed to fly to a target and detonate on impact, effectively functioning as a smart, guided missile. Unlike traditional drones, it is not intended to return from its mission.
TECHNICAL DEFINITION
A one-way attack drone, also known as a loitering munition or kamikaze drone, is an expendable unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) equipped with a high-explosive warhead for kinetic strikes. This autonomous or remotely piloted system is designed for a single-use terminal mission, where it acquires a target and then initiates a terminal guidance phase to destroy it upon impact.
BACKGROUND
A one-way attack drone is a type of self-destructive unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) designed to strike a target by crashing into it with an integrated warhead. Common terms like suicide drone, kamikaze drone or exploding drone are used. These types of drones self-destruct, similar to loitering munitions. However, loitering munitions typically feature human-in-the-loop control and the ability to loiter or "hunt" for targets before striking remotely by a human operator. On the other hand, one-way attack drones are often launched against pre-programmed coordinates. One-way attack drone guidance systems vary by model. One type of one-way attack drone uses satellite positioning to attack static targets and lacks the electro-optical targeting sensor or data links required for terminal guidance by a human operator. Another type of one-way attack drone uses artificial intelligence (AI) with electro-optical targeting sensors for more precise attacks even when it still lacks a human operator for terminal guidance. They are frequently described by defense analysts as cost-effective and slower alternative of cruise missiles rather than traditional drones.
READ MORE ON WIKIPEDIASYNONYMS & ALIASES
- loitering munition
- kamikaze drone
- suicide drone
- expendable UAV
- lethal drone
- hunter-killer drone
USAGE NOTE
This term is frequently used to describe low-cost, attritable systems that can be deployed in large numbers to overwhelm enemy air defenses or strike precise targets.
DEVELOPERS
Organizations developing technology related to One-Way Attack Drone.
A U.S. defense contractor that develops the Switchblade series of loitering munitions. The Switchblade 300 and 600 are well-known, tube-launched, one-way attack drones used for precision strikes against personnel and light armored targets.
An Israeli company specializing in loitering munition systems. They produce the HERO series, a family of kamikaze drones of various sizes designed for tactical and strategic missions against a range of targets.
A major Israeli aerospace and defense company. IAI developed some of the earliest and most prominent loitering munitions, including the Harpy anti-radiation drone and the Harop, a larger system designed for suppression of enemy air defenses (SEAD).
A U.S. defense technology company that develops the ALTIUS (Agile-Launched, Tactically-Integrated Unmanned System). The ALTIUS platform is modular and can be configured as a one-way attack drone with an explosive warhead.
A Russian company, part of the Kalashnikov Concern, that manufactures unmanned aerial systems. They are the developers of the Lancet and KUB-BLA loitering munitions, which have been widely used in recent military conflicts.
A Turkish state-owned defense company that develops a range of military technologies. They produce the Kargu, a rotary-wing loitering munition designed for anti-personnel and asymmetric warfare scenarios, which can operate in swarms.
A Polish technology company specializing in electronics and defense systems. They develop and manufacture the WARMATE loitering munition, a small, fixed-wing one-way attack drone used for surveillance and strike missions.
A UAE-based advanced technology group for defense. Its subsidiary, Halcon, develops and produces a family of loitering munitions, including the Hunter and Shadow series of drones for precision strike capabilities.
An Iranian aerospace company associated with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). It is known for developing the Shahed series of drones, including the Shahed-136, a long-range, delta-wing one-way attack UAV.