Unmanned aerial systems (UAS) are a big topic these days, but not always in a good way. In October, Russia began an extensive campaign of attacks on the energy and electrical infrastructure across Ukraine using lethal drones and cruise missiles. Although many of Russia’s missiles and loitering munitions (including Shahed-136s and -131s supplied by Iran) are rudimentary, it has launched hundreds of them – sometimes in waves of up to a dozen or more at a time – with the aim of overwhelming Ukraine’s air defense systems.

By John Haystead USAF PHOTO In February 2022, just hours into Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Ukrainian forces shot down one, possibly…