Ukraine showed NATO artillery crews how to use drones. Now they're figuring out how to make them work in the Arctic.

"NATO commanders believe attack drones can't replace old-fashioned artillery - still the king in battle - but what uncrewed aerial systems can do is help gun crews find targets and direct fire. Getting drones to work as intended in the harsh, unforgiving Arctic, though, is a challenge."

"Cheap, expendable drones are increasingly available for battlefield surveillance and reconnaissance, and McArthur's troops have been training to use these tools to collect targeting data and relay that information to the firing team - a tactic proven in Ukraine."

"What's not affected by weather and the environment is a great big chunk of metal coming toward your face that's fired out of one of these guns. McArthur said, referencing his 105mm light howitzer and the high-explosive shells it fires."

NATO artillery units training in the Arctic are integrating drones into their targeting operations, following lessons from Russia's war in Ukraine where cheap, expendable drones proved valuable for surveillance and reconnaissance. Drones help gun crews locate targets and direct fire, though they cannot replace traditional artillery as the primary weapon system. British Army Major Robin McArthur notes that while drones effectively collect targeting data and relay information to firing teams, Arctic conditions severely impact drone performance. Equipment designed for temperate climates struggles in extreme cold and harsh environments. Traditional artillery remains more reliable in these conditions, as its effectiveness is not compromised by weather, making it the preferred primary weapon system for Arctic operations.

Read at Business Insider