Battleground Archives

The utilization of drones, or unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), in Close Quarter Combat environments marks a significant evolution in modern warfare tactics. While drones have been predominantly associated with surveillance and strikes in open and less complex terrains, their integration into urban combat and CQC scenarios has introduced a new layer of tactical support. These devices range from larger, remotely operated systems to small, hand-launched or even pocket-sized UAVs. Their roles in CQC are multifaceted, enhancing the capabilities of ground forces engaged in high-intensity, close-range battles in urban settings or confined spaces.

5Cs is a framework commonly used by military and security personnel to standardize communication and response in the event of detecting and responding to a drone threat. The 5Cs stand for:

Confirm: Identify and confirm the presence of a potential drone or Unmanned Aerial System (UAS). This involves verifying that the object is indeed a UAS and not a false alarm.

Clear: Clear the area of unnecessary personnel and secure the immediate environment. This ensures that people in the vicinity are protected from any potential danger posed by the drone, such as the possibility of it carrying explosives or performing surveillance.

Cordon: Establish a perimeter around the area of concern to prevent unauthorized personnel from entering. This also helps isolate the drone threat while minimizing potential harm to civilians or infrastructure.

Control: Control the situation by taking appropriate countermeasures, which could involve jamming or disabling the drone, tracking its origin, or deploying specialized C-UAS systems.

Call: Notify the relevant authorities or security forces for further assistance and report the incident through proper channels. This ensures that the event is documented and that appropriate response units are activated if necessary.

Surveillance and Reconnaissance

In CQC, drones provide real-time aerial surveillance and reconnaissance, offering ground troops a crucial advantage: situational awareness. By relaying live video feeds, drones can reveal the positions of enemy combatants hidden behind walls, barricades, or within buildings. This capability is invaluable in urban environments where adversaries can easily conceal themselves and where the risk of ambushes is high.

Room and Building Clearance

Small, compact drones equipped with cameras can enter buildings through windows or doors, scouting ahead of ground troops. These UAVs can navigate tight spaces, providing live footage of interiors and potentially identifying enemy positions, IEDs, or hostages before ground forces enter. This preemptive reconnaissance can significantly reduce the risks to soldiers during room-clearing operations, a critical aspect of CQC.

Over-the-Hill Reconnaissance

In scenarios where ground forces are preparing to breach a compound or clear a series of rooms, drones can offer over-the-hill reconnaissance, giving soldiers a view of areas immediately beyond their line of sight. This capability is particularly useful in dense urban areas or complex terrains, where visibility is limited, and threats can emerge from multiple directions.

Target Designation

Drones can also play a key role in designating targets for precision strikes or directing the fire of ground troops. By identifying enemy positions with accuracy, UAVs enable more effective use of firepower, reducing the risk of collateral damage and ensuring that engagements are as precise and controlled as possible.

Tactical Communication and Coordination

In addition to their surveillance capabilities, drones can serve as communication relays, enhancing the connectivity among dispersed units. In the chaos of urban CQC, maintaining communication lines is critical for coordination and operational success. UAVs can ensure that teams remain in contact, even in environments where traditional communication systems are compromised.

Psychological Impact

The presence of drones can have a psychological impact on enemy combatants, knowing that they are being watched and that their positions might be compromised. This can deter aggressive actions, force them into less advantageous positions, or even prompt them to abandon their posts.

Challenges and Considerations

While drones offer distinct advantages in CQC, their deployment comes with challenges. Electronic warfare capabilities can disrupt or hijack drones, and dense urban environments can interfere with GPS signals and communications. Furthermore, the ethical and legal implications of drone use, particularly regarding surveillance and the engagement of targets in civilian-populated areas, require careful consideration.

As technology advances, the role of drones in CQC is expected to expand, incorporating artificial intelligence and machine learning to enhance their autonomy, decision-making capabilities, and integration with manned units. The use of drones is transforming the tactics of close-quarter engagements, providing forces with enhanced operational capabilities and reshaping the future of urban combat.