Drones navais em ação: Implicações nas operações militares contemporâneas

Abstract

ABSTRACT NAVAL DRONES IN ACTION: IMPLICATIONS FOR CONTEMPORARY MILITARY OPERATIONS This study analyzes the impact of Unmanned Surface Vehicles (USV), commonly known as "naval drones", on contemporary maritime military operations, with a special focus on the conflict between Russia and Ukraine. The research addresses the historical development of USV, their technical characteristics, and their operational applications, examining how these vehicles have been integrated into naval forces and the challenges associated with this integration. Through a case study of the Russia-Ukraine conflict, the study explores how a smaller navy, employing USV in innovative ways, can challenge a traditionally superior naval force. Different models of USV employed by Ukraine, their technical specifications, operational scenarios, and resulting impacts are discussed. Additionally, the research highlights how these systems are redefining the naval balance of power, transforming traditional concepts of maritime warfare, and demanding changes in military doctrines. The study concludes with an assessment of the implications of these technological and strategic innovations for the future of naval operations, suggesting that the evolution of USV may play a crucial role in reshaping military tactics and strategies in the global maritime arena.