Fast, almost silent and notoriously difficult to see, they prowl the skies searching for targets and launching catastrophic attacks on civilians and soldiers.
But now, they may also be able to help save lives.
The i Paper has been granted access to a test launch, to find out how the Ukraine war is changing medicine and how the alliance is preparing.
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During intense combat, it is difficult to safely withdraw injured troops without the casualty or rescuer being hit again – but transporting medical equipment, including blood, into the combat situation by plane or vehicle also puts rescue teams at risk.
A specially insulated box called a Collins Box is filled with 30 blood packets – mostly type O, which can be given safely to most casulaties whatever their blood type – and rigged up to the underbelly of the drone.
Emergency doctor David Hourani said this was the “future of combat medicine”.
US soldiers prepare for the launch of a drone carrying blood supplies (Photo: Nato MNCNE/PAO)“Getting things such as blood or other medical supplies forward with drones simplifies that process, let’s us get medical supplies that we wouldn’t normally be able to get further forward on the battlefield to that place without putting additional personnel at risk.”
US army ‘taking lessons from Ukraine’
Lieutenant Colonel Ronnie Hill, a blood expert who represents the US’s Armed Services Blood Programme in Europe, said his force was “taking the lessons that have been provided within the Ukraine conflict“.
A box of simulated human blood is attached to the base of the drone during tests (Photo: Nato Mncne/PAO)The system still has risks. Like any other UAV (unmanned aerial vehicle), the blood drone can be shot down or “jammed” – when an enemy uses electromagnetic signals to disable the line of communication between the aircraft and its operator.
“Like any other drone launch, it will just be the best attempt,” says Hill. “Of course, our own forces will be out there to try and assist with protecting the drones as they’re flying.”
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Finally We wish PressBee provided you with enough information of ( Watch the moment drones deliver lifesaving blood to the front lines in Nato war drill )
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