US AI lets Ukraine's cheap kamikaze drones track targets autonomously

Ukrainian drone operators have used $400 Shrike drones to destroy many Russian armored vehicles and helicopters. In mid-July, the Ukrainian military began receiving Shrike drones made by SkyFall, equipped with AI autonomy hardware and software from Auterion. Auterion's Skynode S strike kits allow operators to manually fly the drone, designate a target up to half a mile away, and switch to fire-and-forget terminal guidance. The drone can autonomously track and hit targets even if the radio connection is lost due to obstacles or jamming. The software relies solely on the drone's camera, so no GPS is needed, countering GPS jamming on modern battlefields. These drones have already struck many targets, including two Russian Mi-28 helicopters worth up to $19 million each.