Supplying food to small groups of soldiers using unmanned aerial vehicles
Supplying food to small groups of soldiers using unmanned aerial vehicles

Summary/Abstract: The organisation of food supply during military operations presents a significant challenge, as every action taken to ensure soldiers’ food security must be precisely analysed and planned. In particularly difficult conditions, when the tactical situation requires small groups of soldiers to operate away from their parent units, alternative food supply methods should be considered. The research niche of this article concerns the insufficient number of studies that propose, develop or evaluate alternative solutions for supplying dispersed, small groups of troops with food in conditions where conventional supply lines are disrupted or pose excessive risk. The purpose of the article is to examine the possibilities of supplying small groups of soldiers with food using unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). The methodology included literature analysis, synthesis, induction, and deduction, as well as experimental tests involving payload transport and aerial drops using a commercially available UAV. The results confirmed the hypothesis that UAVs can deliver food to units at designated locations, at a specified time and in specified quantities, while minimising the risk to human life. The findings indicate that food delivery via UAVs is technically feasible, operationally beneficial, and may enhance supply security in high-risk conditions. Drones can transport rations to soldiers, achieving high delivery accuracy at zero forward speed and noticeably reduced accuracy during forward flight. The conclusions highlight the need for further technological improvements, the adaptation of UAV platforms to military logistics requirements and advanced operator training. The study provides a basis for further research on UAV-supported military food supply.

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