January 26, 2020

Samuel Bendett says, "Eventual numbers of aircraft built may vary from the initial announcements due to a range of factors such as the state of the domestic military industry, the state of the military budget and the overall health of the Russian economy."

The National Interest: "Russia Is Determined to Buy Stealth Fighters, Bombers, Drones and Even a New Aircraft Carrier"

 

January 23, 2020

Samuel Bendett writes, "Russia will be keen to capitalize on the growing security trend in unmanned systems acquisitions, as more and more militaries around the world are realizing the benefits of fielding unmanned systems in place of more expensive manned technologies."

Mad Scientist Laboratory: "Major Trends in Russian Military Unmanned Systems Development for the Next Decade"

 

January 18, 2020

Samuel Bendett writes, "Recent years have seen a proliferation of government-sponsored projects intended to lead and facilitate the country's technological development."

Defense One: "Putin Seeks to Plug Gaps in Russia's State-Driven Tech Efforts"

 

January 13, 2020

Samuel Bendett writes, " Russia . . . worries that information flowing into the country may bring malign foreign influence, while data flowing out may provide leverage to its enemies."

Defense One: "Russia's 'Data Localization' Efforts May Guide Other Governments"

 

January 12, 2020

Samuel Bendett says, "While the technical solution for this autonomy can evade Russian designers in this decade due to its complexity, developers will be pressured to obtain short-term results."

El Espectador: "These Are the Weapons That Will Change the Conflicts in the New Decade"

 

January 11, 2020

Samuel Bendett says, "The reason why the Ministry of Defense has announced that it will develop UGVs based on Soratnik and Shturm is that it is now taking over the development initiative from private enterprises as it begins to formulate actual [Concepts of Operation] and [Tactics, Techniques, and Procedures] requirements."

C4ISRNET: "Russian Army Will Develop Storm Robot Tank and Ally"

 

January 3, 2020

Samuel Bendett says, "Russia is actually working on the next-gen bomber — PAK-DA, which could be in service around 2027. The real question is now whether PAK-DA will be in an unmanned configuration."

C4ISRNET: "Will Russia's Nuclear-Armed Bombers in 2040 Be Drones?"

 

December 29, 2019

Samuel Bendett says, "The changes that were undertaken by the Russian military were first of all a direct result of Russia's performance in the war against Georgia in 2008 and all of the deficiencies that were exposed, and then Russia's reaction to and involvement in Crimea and Syria."

Defense & Aerospace Report: "Year/Decade End Roundtable" [40:59]

 

December 24, 2019

Samuel Bendett says, "The projection is in line with Russian [defense ministry] thinking about its future force composition -- the growing role of unmanned and robotic systems in the land, air and maritime forces, especially given the increasing role of UAVs in the Russian forces today."

The National Interest: "Russia Wants "a Sixth-Generation Strategic Bomber" by 2040"

 

December 19, 2019

Samuel Bendett says, "This RuNet test is aimed  — according to the Russian government — at making sure that key internet nodes are under Russian government control should a crisis develop."

Defense One: "Russia Plans to Cut off Some Internet Access Next Week"

 

December 14, 2019

Samuel Bendett says, "There is a clear signal from the Russian government that military robotics will become more and more essential in future conflicts, concurrent with the development of AI that can presumably guide such systems in combat."

C4ISRNET: "Russia Will Test Swarms for Anti-Robot Combat in 2020"

 

November 25, 2019

Samuel Bendett writes, "The Russian state's relationship with its budding private sector has been mixed at best, and it will be interesting to observe how much Russian entrepreneurs will put their trust in government institutions."

Defense One: "Russia's AI Quest Is State-Driven — Even More Than China's. Can It Work?"

 

November 8, 2019

Samuel Bendett says, "Their involvement in Syria only underscored the necessity of an unbroken chain of UAV operation, with drones not just identifying and tracking targets, but hitting them following a positive ID."

Defense One: "Russia Says It Used Autonomous Armed Strike Drones in a Wargame"

 

November 5, 2019

Samuel Bendett says, "Based on what the Russians have seen and learned in Syria — which is the single most important Russian military experience today — a serious damaging effect can be achieved by a UAV swarm attack."

C4ISRNET: "Flock 93 Is Russia's Dream of a 100-Strong Drone Swarm for War"

 

November 2, 2019

Samuel Bendett says the, "Syrian experience displayed to Russian forces the need to have available drones that can range for hundreds of kilometers and then deliver a strike, without [troops] calling for manned aviation and without putting manned aerial assets at risk."

The National Interest: "Russia's Predator Drone Flew Strikes in Syria"

 

October 31, 2019

Samuel Bendett says, "For their part, Russian military is also building drones that can operate in an EMS-challenged environment."

Military Times: "U.S. Forces Could Learn from Intense Electronic War Battle in Ukraine"

 

October 29, 2019

Samuel Bendett writes, "China and Russia are seeking to develop and demonstrate the dividends from a new model for scientific cooperation that relies less and less on foreign, and especially American, expertise and technology, instead seeking independence in innovation and pursuing developments that may have strategic implications."

Australian Strategic Policy Institute: "A New Sino-Russian High-Tech Partnership"

 

October 29, 2019

Samuel Bendett writes, "Today, like-minded democracies must recognise the threats from advances in and the diffusion of technologies that can be used to empower autocratic regimes. "

Real Clear Defense: "A New Sino-Russian High-Tech Partnership Emerges as U.S. Tensions Mount"

 

October 24, 2019

Samuel Bendett says, "The larger context is Russia's dependence as a nation on imported/foreign hi-tech and the perceived vulnerabilities that Russia sees in such technology use."

Defense One: "Russia Will Test Its Ability to Disconnect from the Internet"

 

October 9, 2019

Samuel Bendett says, "There are many countries and forces using small [unmanned ground vehicles] for ISR and other roles — many belligerents in the Middle East have them, including several DIY models made by non-state actors."

C4ISRNET: "Beetle-Like Iranian Robots Can Roll Under Tanks"

 

October 4, 2019

Samuel Bendett writes, "This policy support for collaboration in innovation has manifested in bilateral dialogues and exchanges, the development of industrial science and technology parks, and the expansion of academic cooperation between the Russian and Chinese Academies of Sciences."

Defense One: "China, Russia Deepen Technological Ties"

 

October 1, 2019

Samuel Bendett says, "Ohotnik may be a long-range air-defense penetrator, in which case it would need to fly 'solo' in an automated mode, in order not to utilize Russian manned assets."

The National Interest: "This Picture Is the Future of Russia's Military: Stealth Fighters and Drones"

 

October 1, 2019

Samuel Bendett writes, "Much, however, will depend on the way the Russian government—the biggest investor in the national AI development—will manage the human, administrative, and material resources and challenges necessary for this hi- tech work."

Fairchild Series: "The Development of Artificial Intelligence in Russia"

 

September 27, 2019

Samuel Bendett writes, "Today, this center [Center for Artificial Inteligence] aims to foster partnerships among the nation's leading state-run and private companies and universities."

Defense One: "Russia's National AI Center Is Taking Shape"

 

September 24, 2019

Samuel Bendett says, "we are seeing that the Russian military is not only thinking creatively about technologies that can assist its warfighters - it also is following in the footsteps of other advanced militaries like the Israeli army that has built a similar snake robot earlier."

C4ISRNET: "Will This Snake Robot Lead Russian Soldiers to Battle in Caves?"

 

September 18, 2019

Samuel Bendett says, "This unmanned aerial vehicle and Russia's future fighter plan offer a glimpse into Moscow's thinking about future wars."

Tempo: "Russia Develops 22 Ton Giant Stealth Drone"

 

September 10, 2019

Samuel Bendett says, "One of the major developments in the Russian UAV industry is the 'hybridization' of the drone engines - to ensure either quiet operation (electric/gasoline hybrids) or variable performance levels in range (gasoline/kerosene hybrids),"

C4ISRNET: "Will Russia Replace Orlan Orbits with Feniks Flocks?"

 

September 10, 2019

Samuel Bendett writes, "It rather optimistically envisions collaboration among the academic and state-supported projects already working on different aspects of AI."

Defense One: "Sneak Preview: First Draft of Russia's AI Strategy"

 

September 2, 2019

Samuel Bendett writes, "The results unearthed by the Platforma team hint at a fundamentally different reality that is beginning to emerge as a result between people and increasingly sophisticated and self aware machines."

Defense One: "What Russian Chatbots Think About Us"

 

August 30, 2019

Samuel Bendett says, "Today, Russian military and the merchant fleets are investing in capabilities that would allow them to see beyond the horizon in unpredictable Arctic conditions, and control the Arctic waterways and territories."

C4ISRNET: "Russia Eyes Nimble Quadcopter for a Warming Arctic"

 

August 23, 2019

Samuel Bendett says, "It's interesting that such a flagship product, designed originally not just for space but for dealing with emergencies — depended almost entirely on non-Russian parts."

C4ISRNET: "Is This Russian Robot Spacecrawling Before a Spacewalk?"

 

August 21, 2019

Samuel Bendett says that the testing of the two UAVs [Altius-U and Okhotnik], "moves beyond the discussion of whether or not they can [build these types of weapons] to, 'Yes they did.'"

Business Insider: "Russia's New High-Altitude Drone Just Flew for the First Time, and They Want to Arm It with One Ton of Bombs"

 

August 13, 2019

Samuel Bendett says, "Russian military has been practicing the operation of different UAVs at high altitudes and in high wind — so this Fixar UAV can prove useful right away."

C4ISRNET: "Will This Hybrid Drone Give Russia a High-Altitude Advantage?"

 

August 13, 2019

Samuel Bendett says, "That's the biggest news, the Russians are using unmanned ground vehicles to try and clean up the aftermath of that explosion."

Defense & Aerospace Report: "CNA's Bendett on Russian Explosions, Unmanned Systems, Russian Drone Okhotnik"

 

August 5, 2019

Samuel Bendett says, "At this point, it is going to be heaviest and fastest UAV [in Russian service] if and when fielded, but additional testing and evaluation will have to take place in order for this unmanned system to be fully functional."

The National Interest: "Russia's B-2 Lookalike Stealth Drone Just Flew for the 1st Time"

 

July 31, 2019

Samuel Bendett says, "We know that some [UGV] models may be used for breaching ops, others for guard duties, others for swarming tactics or demining operations, but we don't yet have the same view as with UAVs."

C4ISRNET: "Is This Russia's Gateway Drone to Better Armed Robots?"

 

July 31, 2019

Samuel Bendett writes, "Russia's investments in artificial intelligence and other emerging technologies that can help its soldiers counter the physical, cognitive, and operational challenges of urban warfare and perform better in future conflicts deserve closer attention."

War on the Rocks: Russian AI-Enabled Combat: Coming to a City Near You?

 

July 21, 2019

Samuel Bendett says, "As a consequence of the Syrian tests, the [Russian Ministry of Defense] is working on a UGV control system capable of more independent action in combat."

Defense One: "Robot Roadmap: U.S. Army's Newest Command Sketches Priorities"

 

July 16, 2019

Samuel Bendett says, "At the start of the conflict, there were 400 UAV sorties per month. By late 2017, there were over 1,000 sorties per month."

The Intercept: "How Israeli-Designed Drones Became Russia's Eyes in the Sky for Defending Bashar Al-Assad"

 

July 16, 2019

Samuel Bendett says, "There was that realization that anything and everything could be turned into a weapon and therefore the Russian military should look at the successful adoption of the systems that have proven successful."

Business Insider: "Russia Wants to Arm Its Troops with Small Drones That Drop Bombs Because ISIS Did It"

 

July 4, 2019

Samuel Bendett says, "Its goal was to fly mimicking the flight of birds, not in a line, but in a way that most closely approximates this predator in order to get as close as possible to the target."

C4ISRNET: "Russia Wants to Show It Innovated Its Way Around Sanctions"

 

July 2, 2019

Samuel Bendett says, "We are seeing the full-scale adoption by a major national military of technologies that were first used very effectively by a non-state actor."

Defense One: "Russian Troops Will Be Getting Tactical Bomb Drones"

 

June 28, 2019

Samuel Bendett says, "The Russians claim to have a powerful 'echeloned defense' in Syria that includes electronic warfare, probably the Krasukha system."

Breaking Defense: "Why Would Russia Spoof Israeli GPS? F-35 & Iran"

 

June 27, 2019

Samuel Bendett says, "It will be interesting to see what UGV [Unmanned Ground Vehicle] lineup Kalashnikov will come up with, given great interest from the MOD toward unmanned military systems."

C4ISRNET: "Russia Eager to Prove Recent Conflicts Improved Its Robots"

 

June 25, 2019

Samuel Bendett says, "In Russia's part of Eurasia where hunting birds like owls, falcons and eagles are very common, a UAV that looks like a bird can become an invaluable ISR asset."

Business Insider: "Russia's New Drone Looks like a Snowy Owl, and It Has a Deadly Purpose"

 

June 24, 2019

Samuel Bendett writes, "The past seven years of developments across the Russian defense sector indicate that as the Russian military matures to more advanced tech levels, the United States would have to eventually face a more effective and capable adversary."

Fletcher Security Review: "The Rise of Russia's Hi-Tech Military"

 

June 23, 2019

Samuel Bendett says, "This is not the first time that science fiction drives real military hi-tech development."

The National Interest: "U.S. Army's Search for a New Scout Helicopter Was Definitely Inspired by 'Avatar'"

 

June 11, 2019

Samuel Bendett says, "No direct Russian military interest in this UAV yet, but ARF designs and work is always of interest to the MOD, so we should expect some kind of military trial in 2020 when it takes to the air."

C4ISRNET: "This Russian Cyclocopter Drone Design Was 110 Years in the Making"

 

June 2, 2019

Samuel Bendett says, "Its speed [up to 620 miles per hour] and weight — up to 20 tons — means that a host of aerodynamic, electronic and high-tech issues need to be worked out."

The National Interest: "This Russia Drone Looks like a Stealth B-2 Bomber (A Test Flight Is Coming Soon)"

 

May 30, 2019

Samuel Bendett says, "Once that system [Okhotnik] is part of the Russian military then some of the equations related to the Russian military concept of operations and tactics will have to change because Russia will gain a very interesting and very capable aerial vehicle." [8:20]

Defense & Aerospace Report: "CNA's Bendett on New Systems Revealed During Russia's 2019 Victory Day"

 

May 30, 2019

Samuel Bendett writes, "More funding is also necessary, Putin said, both from state coffers and by wooing investors through public-private cooperation."

Defense One: "Putin Drops Hints About Upcoming National AI Strategy"

 

May 28, 2019

Samuel Bendett says, "One of the main sticking points for the Russian government was the fact that imported operating systems had vulnerabilities and back doors that Moscow thought could be exploited by international intelligence agencies."

Defense One: "Russia's Would-Be Windows Replacement Gets a Security Upgrade"

 

May 21, 2019

Samuel Bendett says, "At this point, it is going to be heaviest and fastest UAV [in Russian service] if and when fielded, but additional testing and evaluation will have to take place in order for this unmanned system to be fully functional."

National Interest: "Russia's New Stealth Drone Looks like a B-2 Stealth Bomber. But Can It Fight?"

 

May 21, 2019

Samuel Bendett says, "Judging by the 'urban' purpose of this UAV, Russian military and security agency have a need for a technology that incapacitates the adversary either for capturing or for simply flushing him out of hiding."

C4ISRNET: "Are Nonlethal Laser Drones the New Stun Guns?"

 

May 14, 2019

Samuel Bendett writes, "This year, Moscow will join a growing number of global cities whose populations are monitored by AI-enabled facial recognition programs."

Defense One: "Moscow to Weave AI Face Recognition into Its Urban Surveillance Net"

 

May 13, 2019

Samuel Bendett says that the Russian military is "incorporating the lessons learned from that [Uran-9 vehicles] failure into the future generation of ground vehicles."

Harvard Political Review: "The Modern Pen and the AI Sword"

 

May 10, 2019

Samuel Bendett says, "The advantage in using hydrogen-powered UAV is that it can operate without additional logistics or fuel infrastructure — the users simply pour water into fuel cartridge, and the resulting reaction releases hydrogen that can power this UAV for several hours."

C4ISRNET: "Will the Russian Army Buy Hydrogen Fuel Cell Drones?"

 

April 25, 2019

Samuel Bendett writes, "The ensuing months have brought many announcements on the use of AI in various weapons. All this makes Patrushev's statement all the more surprising."

Defense One: "Did Russia Just Concede a Need to Regulate Military AI?"

 

April 24, 2019

Samuel Bendett says, "The Russian government saw what such free information access can do in other countries, and defensive [information operations] is now part of the defense strategy."

Defense One: "Russians Will Soon Lose Uncensored Access to the Internet"

 

April 23, 2019

Samuel Bendett says, "This is a 'dumb' rocket that has navigation that lets it hone in on the drone but no explosives — it just rams the UAS in the hope the damage is enough to bring it down."

C4ISRNET: "If This Rocket Is so 'Dumb,' How Does It Ram Enemy Drones out of the Sky?"

 

April 10, 2019

Samuel Bendett says that Russia is, "being more flexible than ever before, they are taking risks they haven't taken before, and so Syria is a massive laboratory for Russian weapons development and testing."

Defense & Aerospace Report: "Bendett, Kania & Watley on Chinese, Russian Artificial Intelligence, Autonomy"

 

March 30, 2019

Sam Bendett says, "It may have been [created as] a simple 'stop-gap' measure to help forces against small, cheap" systems.

The Verge: "Russia's shotgun-firing drone is designed to shoot down enemy drones"

 

March 25, 2019

Samuel Bendett says, "Russians are increasingly deigning VTOL and tilt-rotor UAVs that would not need extensive logistics- or even limited linguistics, like a catapult."

C4ISRNET: "Watch Russia's Shotgun Drone Shoot down a Model Airplane"

 

March 18, 2019

Samuel Bendett says the Hunter-B UAV will likely be the "heaviest and fastest UAV [in Russian service] if and when fielded."

The National Interest: "This Video Might Be the Future of Russia's Army: Armed Ground Robots"

 

March 18, 2019

Samuel Bendett says, "For the Russian military, their experience in Syria was an absolute watershed." [Segment begins at: 39:18]

Steptoe Cyberblog: "Episode 255: Imitation Is the Sincerest Form of Flattery: Russia and China Revamp Their Military Technologies"

 

March 17, 2019

Samuel Bendett says, "Russians think that it's important to fight adversary drones not just from the ground via a number of electronic and kinetic countermeasures, but in the air itself."

C4ISRNET: "Is It a Drone? or Is It a Rifle?"

 

March 14, 2019

Samuel Bendett says, "In the near future, Russian soldiers may be able to 'link in' with a [unmanned combat aerial vehicle] to call in a strike — but that's years away at this point."

C4ISRNET: "Are These the Humble Beginnings of an Iron Man Suit?"

 

March 14, 2019

Samuel Bendett writes, "All this activity aims to fulfill Putin's request to his government to create an 'AI infrastructure' – a set of complementary and overlapping relationships between the country's public and private hi-tech sectors that aim to mobilize the community for an AI breakthrough."

Defense One: "Russia Racing to Complete National AI Strategy by June 15"

 

March 4, 2019

Samuel Bendett says, "This sentiment and development path is in line with recent Russian statement that the country's military is developing AI-powered weapons with the ability to identify and engage targets."

C4ISRnet: "Russian System Uses Infantry to Spot for Robots"

 

March 4, 2019

Samuel Bendett writes, "But given the usefulness of supercomputing technology for developing AI and military weapons — two areas of intense interest to leader Vladimir Putin — it will be interesting to track the use of Western technology in future machines."

Defense One: "Russia's New 'AI Supercomputer' Runs on Western Technology"

 

February 28, 2019

Samuel Bendett says, "Russia will develop its own systems as a result of this export ban, but that may take some time. This announcement also demonstrates that despite the sanctions, the Russian high-tech industry was still able to get what it needed."

Defense One: "Russia's Pistol-Packing Robot Is Scrambling for Parts"

 

February 26, 2019

Jeffrey Edmonds and Samuel Bendett write, "Any potential conflict with Moscow will feature a military that is better able to understand, process, and contest the battlespace information environment, posing significant challenges for U.S. and allied forces."

RealClearDefense: "Russian Battlefield Awareness and Information Dominance: Improved Capabilities and Future Challenges"

 

February 22, 2019

Samuel Bendett says, " It will be interesting to see how they're going to be using some of those systems used in Syria on the larger scale."

Defense & Aerospace Report: "CNA's Bendett on Latest Russian Uran, Okhotnik, Carnivora Unmanned Ground, Air Systems"

 

February 20, 2019

Samuel Bendett writes, "An unmanned aircraft that can patrol the top of the world for four days leads a growing list of Arctic-themed drone-engineering projects either planned or underway by Russian defense labs and aircraft manufacturers."

Defense One: "Russia Plans More Arctic UAVs"

 

February 18, 2019

Samuel Bendett says, "Moscow's experience in Syria underscored that point — despite fielding a large number of [intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance] drones that enabled Russian to be more precise in combat, the majority of targets were hit by manned aviation or manned artillery forces."

The National Interest: "The Company That Makes the AK-47 Is Now Building Suicide Drones"

 

February 14, 2019

Samuel Bendett says, "The emergence of such technologies is changing the approaches to the conduct of hostilities and will have serious consequences for the personnel of the armed forces, military tactics and state policy in this area."

Valdai Discussion Club: "Battle Robots Rivalry and the Future of War"

 

February 11, 2019

Samuel Bendett writes, “According to the Russian state media (TASS), Russian military robotic complexes (RBCs) will be able to independently recognize targets, use weapons, and interact in groups and swarms. Such plans were stated in the article by the staff of the 3rd Central Scientific Research Institute of the Russian Federation’s MOD.”

Mad Scientist Laboratory: “Autonomous Robotic Systems in the Russian Ground Forces”

 

February 5, 2019

Samuel Bendett says, “The Ministry of Defense said on several occasions that this UGV performed well in Syria, so we are to expect that these 12 are not the last vehicles of its kind to enter Russian service. The Ministry feels confident enough with Uran-6 to start accepting it into service. In Syria, it did not experience the range of issues that plagued Uran-9 trials.”

C4ISRNET: ‘Russia Orders a Dozen New Demining Robots”

 

January 31, 2019

Samuel Bendett writes, “While the private sector in Russia has achieved success in image and speech recognition, the military has been pursuing its own AI development for a variety of weapons such as aircraft, missiles, electronic warfare, radars and unmanned systems.”

Defense One: “Putin Orders Up a National AI Strategy”

 

January 28, 2019

Samuel Bendett says, “Going into Syria in 2015, Russia was lacking a key combat element — the ability to hit targets quickly following their identification, one of the key functions of [unmanned combat air vehicles] around the world today.”

The National Interest: “Russia's Next Deadly Weapon: A Stealth, Jet-Powered Robot Warplane”

 

January 24, 2019

Samuel Bendett says, “In reality, [the] Uran-9 tests in Syria should have garnered major attention from all major Russian news outlets, given how proud Russian [sic] are of their remote-controlled tank.”

Task and Purpose: “Russia's Robot Tank Sucks, But Its Military Is Adopting It Anyway”

 

January 22, 2019

Samuel Bendett says, “This is a unique design. [We] have not seen anything similar yet, but Russian defense industry officials recently stated that there are no fewer than 17 [underwater unmanned vehicle] designs presently under development in Russia.”

C4ISRNET: “Russia Tests ‘Underwater Quadcopter’ for Cold Water Exploration”

 

January 14, 2019

Samuel Bendett says, “While Ukraine has many UAV – as well as UCAV — plans, only few projects came to fruition, such as several small ISR models currently in use in the country’s east.”

Defense One: “Ukraine Is Buying New Combat Drones…From Turkey”

 

January 11, 2019

Samuel Bendett says that these submarines can “operate on the sea floor in many parts of the global ocean.”

Defense One: “Russia’s Special Operators Are Getting Futuristic Mini-Subs”

 

January 11, 2019

Samuel Bendett says, “The fact that there are no limitations on what vessel can carry it where means that there would be fewer limitations for the Russian special forces to act, via this deep-diving vessel.”

Defense One: “Russia’s Special Operators Are Getting Futuristic Mini-Subs”

 

January 9, 2019

Samuel Bendett and Dmitry Gorenburg discussed Russian weapons systems.

VOA News: “New Weapons of Russia: A Real Threat, Proven in Syria” [Russian]

 

January 8, 2019

Samuel Bendett writes, “Russia’s interest in AI seems to have swung into a higher gear after September 2017, when President Vladimir Putin said that artificial intelligence is ‘humanity’s future’ and that the country that masters it will ‘get to rule the world.’”

Defense One: “Russia: Expect a National AI Roadmap by Midyear”

 

January 6, 2019

Samuel Bendett says, “There are a number of [counter-unmanned aerial systems (C-UAS)] technologies that Russian law enforcement has at its disposal ? they have been ‘battle-tested' during the 2018 World Cup held across the country.”

C4ISRNET: “Russia Will Counter Drones Over Moscow With ... Its Own Drones”

 

December 31, 2018

Samuel Bendett says, “There are also other designs that they in fact tested in Syria and that’s a lite, carbon exoskeleton, without power packs, without hydraulics basically something that can help the soldiers right away and could potentially be even a duel use technology.”

Defense & Aerospace Report: “CNA’s Bendett on Russia’s 2018 Unmanned Systems Progress”

 

December 28, 2018

Samuel Bendett says, “Russia’s Syrian experience taught its military [about] the absolutely key importance of strike drones, so the [Ministry of Defense] is keen on finally fast-tracking specific designs and let the military start testing them out.”

Defense One: “Vladimir Putin’s Busy, Bloody, and Expensive 2019”

 

December 26, 2018

Samuel Bendett says, “As Russia develops its lineup of long-range UCAVs [unmanned combat aerial vehicles], it will challenge American dominance with such technologies that Washington held for the past 17-18 years.”

C4ISRNET: “What Does 2019 Hold for Russia’s Drones?

 

December 14, 2018

Samuel Bendett says, “According to the developers, the drone can use nets to intercept quadcopters; can carry several types of fragmentation and high-explosive ammunition, as well as reconnaissance equipment. Currently, according to Mikran, the prototype is undergoing factory flight tests.”

C4ISRNET: “Russia’s Carnivora Is Designed for a Drone-Eat-Drone World”

 

December 14, 2018

Samuel Bendett says, “This ‘Carnivora’ drone that can hunt and destroy other small drones fits into that larger CONOPS.”

C4ISRNET: “Russia’s Carnivora Is Designed for a Drone-Eat-Drone World”

 

December 11, 2018

Samuel Bendett says, “Russia views the Arctic as an area vital to its national security — for the defense of the nation, for the economic development and for environmental factors.”

Defense One: “Russia’s New Arctic Drones Are Built to Spot Ships”

 

November 29, 2018

Samuel Bendett says, “Russia, in particular, was working on several versions of exoskeletons, including one that it tested recently in Syria.”

Reuters: “Pentagon Looks to Exoskeletons to Build 'Super-Soldiers'”

 

November 27, 2018

Samuel Bendett says, “MOD is running many technical competitions among students of various levels - from middle school to university level. The key theme here is the preparation of ‘personnel reserve’- the capacity to grow technical expertise over the course of an entire generation.”

C4ISRNET: “How Russian Robots Take After Peter the Great”

 

November 17, 2018

Samuel Bendett says, “Russia has been using a UAV-mounted cellphone jammer for a number of years now.”

C4ISRNET: “Russian Drones Can Jam Cellphones 60 Miles Away”

 

November 16, 2018

Samuel Bendett says, “This threat was judged to be great enough to introduce training to counter such small drones with small fires across so many Russian services.”

Defense One: “Russia Has Started to Train Its Entire Military to Fight Drones”

 

November 12, 2018

Samuel Bendett says, “The Ministry of Defense, or MOD, has opened several departments within the institution that specifically deal with the emergence of unmanned military systems and their acquisition, testing and evaluation for the Russian military.”

Bionic Bug Podcast: “Interview with Samuel Bennett”

 

November 9, 2018

Michael Kofman says that the Trident Juncture exercise, “clearly demonstrates to Russia the ability of the United States together with NATO allies to appear in the high north, on that part of Russia’s flank.”

Defense and Aerospace Report: “CNA’s Kofman, Bendett on Russian Perception of Trident Juncture”

 

November 9, 2018

Samuel Bendett says, “The Russian Federation looks to practice its con-opts and tactics, techniques and procedures on a regular basis. There’s no better way to do that than in full sight of NATO and United States Navy.”

Defense and Aerospace Report: “CNA’s Kofman, Bendett on Russian Perception of Trident Juncture”

 

October 29, 2018

Samuel Bendett says, “What’s interesting is that Russian designers are thinking creatively about UAV applications. Biomimicry allows UAVs to operate in areas where a ‘regular’-looking UAV would have been sighted and eliminated.”

C4ISRNET: “New Russian Owl Drone Will Hunt Tanks in Northern Warfare”

 

October 22, 2018

Samuel Bendett says, “One of the biggest lessons learned from Syria, and from the Arab Spring writ large, was the need for Russia to have more robust information warfare capabilities, especially for its military.”

Defense One: “Russian Intel Chief: Internet Should Be Controlled by ‘Proper Authorities’”

 

October 15, 2018

Samuel Bendett says, “The US military recognizes that Russian electronic warfare capabilities are evolving to the point where they can pose a threat to US systems.”

Al-Monitor: “Pentagon Looks to Thwart Russian Tech Attacks in Syria”

 

October 12, 2018

Samuel Bendett says, "The relatively unprecedented step of taking [away] a project of this scale and magnitude shows how concerned [Russia's Ministry of Defense, or MOD] is with actual results, given that several Russian design bureaus are also working on long-range ISR and combat UAVs, competing for the same pot of funds that recently fed the Altius project."

Defense One: "Ukrainian Armed-Drone Makers Sprint Ahead as Russian Effort Hits Snag"

 

October 3, 2018

Samuel Bendett says, “There is an understanding in the Russian military that as the technology it uses becomes more hi-tech and sophisticated, it needs to attract potential talent as the next generation to manage and operate such technology.”

C4ISRNET: “Will Russian Students Design Underwater Robots to Protect the Coasts?”

 

September 28, 2018

Samuel Bendett says, “There was a surprising amount of diversity and detail in the Russian media. In other words, anybody could follow the exercises, the components, the forces deployed, the technology deployed, so a variety of publications covered Vostock in great detail.”

Defense and Aerospace Report: “Threat Report: CNA’s Kofman and Bendett on Vostok Exercise”

 

September 24, 2018

Samuel Bendett says, “This was also a command and control exercise to see whether new Russian technologies will be utilized to properly manage these forces.”

C4ISRNET: “Combat Robots and Cheap Drones Obscure the Hidden Triumph of Russia’s Wargame”

 

September 18, 2018

Samuel Bendett says, “There is a lot of development and lots of R&D work in this area, and Russia sees itself in a technological race against the United States/NATO.”

C4ISRNET: “Russian Roboticist Sees All-But-Lethal Autonomous Weapon Systems by 2030”

 

September 4, 2018

Samuel Bendett says that the Vostok exercise “involves a lot of forces from the eastern and central military districts, all airborne forces, long-range forces, parts of the northern fleet. It involves a lot of tanks, a lot of armored cars, a lot of armored vehicles. It involves up to a thousand or so aircraft of all types. So certainly the Russians are making it a very massive and large-scale attempt at an exercise.”

Defense and Aerospace Report: “Threat Report: CNA’s Bendett on Russian and Chinese Vostock Exercise”

 

August 30, 2018

Samuel Bendett says, “It was interesting that the Russian announcement during Army-2018 stated that the exoskeleton was ‘tested in combat,’ though without any specific details. It’s likely that it was tried in Syria, though the press and media did not cover that development.”

Defense One: “Russia, U.S. Are In a Military Exoskeleton Race”

 

August 27, 2018

Samuel Bendett writes, “Currently, the Russian military is working on incorporating elements of AI in its electronic warfare, missile, aircraft and unmanned systems technologies, with the aim of making battlefield decision-making and targeting faster and more precise.”

CAAI Blog: “Efforts to Develop AI in the Russian Military”

 

August 24, 2018

Samuel Bendett says The Orion “most closely resembles America’s Predator/Gray Eagle UAV in its technical characteristics.”

Defense News: “Russian Firm May Sell a Drone Resembling the U.S. Predator to a Mideast Customer”

 

August 24, 2018

Samuel Bendett says, “The Ministry of Defence is holding competitions among students of various ages to generate new ideas and to get young people interested in emerging hi-tech.”

C4ISRNET: “Russian Student Competitions Are Rebuilding a Military-Industrial Pipeline”

 

August 24, 2018

Samuel Bendett writes, “This week, Russia is hosting its biggest military exhibition —Army-2018. The exhibition is held at the recently established “Patriot” expo center not far from Moscow.  Dozens of nations, thousands of military technology samples and hundreds of thousands of visitors are expected to converge at the Patriot for the next several days.

The National Interest: “Russia Is Giving the World a Preview of Some of Its Most Advanced Military Equipment”

 

August 20, 2018

Samuel Bendett says that Russian want to, “put an unmanned package on the most widespread tank chassy they own  which is a T-72.”

Defense and Aerospace Report: “CNA’s Bendett on Russia’s Storm UGV Concept, Cephalopod UUV, 2018 Falcon Hunt UAV Competition”

 

August 20, 2018

Samuel Bendett says, “This UAV is a step in the right direction for close-combat [unmanned aerial vehicle, or UAV], though much will depend on its actual battlefield performance”

Defense One: “Ukraine Startup Building Drones with Grenade Launchers”

 

August 16, 2018

Samuel Bendett says, “Mobility is key in Electronic Warfare (EW), and Russian forces have a wide variety of wheeled EW systems that could deploy in as little as 15 minutes.”

Breaking Defense: “Army Tests Jamming MRAPs: New Electronic Warfare Vehicle”

 

August 13, 2018

Samuel Bendett says, “Russian Ministry of Defense already has a center for unmanned aerial vehicle training ? it’s the 924th Center, outside of Moscow ? and it’s been operating for about five years at this point and is dedicated to teaching soldiers and officers the operation of various UAVs,”

C4ISRNET: “Russia Wants Universities to Design Robots for War”

 

August 5, 2018

Samuel Bendett says, “Estonia is a surprising pioneer in [unmanned ground vehicle] technology — its unmanned ground vehicles represent the growing segment of logistics, support and close combat designs that will become ubiquitous in near- to midterm combat.”

Defense One: “Who’s Leading the Western Response to Russia’s Warbots? Estonia”

 

August 2, 2018

Samuel Bendett writes, “As great power rivalries intensify, China, Russia, and the United States are redoubling their pursuit of defense innovation in emerging technologies that could change the character, perhaps even the nature, of warfare.”

The Strategy Bridge: “Chinese and Russian Defense Innovation, with American Characteristics? Military Innovation, Commercial Technologies, and Great Power Competition”

 

July 31, 2018

Samuel Bendett says, “As far as FEDOR's humanoid appearance, a wide range of human activity in the future will have androids either replacing a person or become his reliable assistants.”

How Stuff Works: “Russia Sending Humanoid FEDOR Robot Into Space”

 

July 25, 2018

"According to expert analyst Samuel Bendett, there appears to be consensus that humans will be kept in the loop [with autonomous weapons], at least for the near future. However, it remains to be seen how Russia’s approach may evolve as the underlying technologies advance."

Center for a New American Security: “Strategic Competition in an Era of Artificial Intelligence”

 

July 23, 2018

Samuel Bendett says, “Most importantly, this will be an expensive endeavor, further pushing Russian designers and the Ministry of Defense to be more selective in approving the final aircraft specs.”

Defense One: “This Stealthy Drone May Be The Future of Russian Fighter Jets”

 

July 20, 2018

Samuel Bendett says, “It does make for a very effective military ‘android’ in official videos where its shooting guns, but ultimately it’s a dual-use work frame for hard-to-do projects like working in space or in other hazardous environments.”

Defense One: “Russia Is Gearing up to Send Androids Into Space as Part of ISS Crew”

 

July 20, 2018

Samuel Bendett writes, "The Russian Ministry of Defense is pursuing artificial intelligence with an urgency that has only grown since Vladimir Putin's "rule the world" speech in September."

Defense One: "Here's How the Russian Military Is Organizing to Develop AI"

 

July 18, 2018

Samuel Bendett writes, “The Russian government has long expressed concern that their reliance on imported IT products creates major security vulnerabilities.”

CAAI Blog: “Russian Kryptonite to Western Hi-Tech Dominance”

 

July 17, 2018

Samuel Bendett says, “If this was Russian, domestic technology, then Zala would have named it — in fact, Russian military and industry are now making a point in specifically stating when certain domestic high-tech is used in new and upgraded systems.”

C4ISRNET: “Russia Announces Its First Drones Equipped With LIDAR”

 

July 11, 2018

Samuel Bendett says, “What’s interesting is the extent to which the Russian government and especially the Ministry of Defense is marshaling resources for the development of AI for its military.”

Defense One: “China, Russia, and the U.S. Are All Building Centers for Military AI”

 

July 10, 2018

Samuel Bendett says, “The operator still has to be relatively close by to operate this UGV - up to 1000 feet which may be a liability in and of itself.”

C4ISRNET: “Belarus Shows off ‘Praying Mantis,‘ a Tank Hunting Robot”

 

June 29, 2018

Samuel Bendett says, “Within the Russian Ministry of Defense, there are now two centers responsible for the development of the latest breakthrough technologies, such as autonomous weapons, but no specific agency-wide effort to develop AI center like JAIC.”

Breaking Defense: “Joint Artificial Intelligence Center Created Under DoD CIO”

 

June 27, 2018

Samuel Bendett says, “If this UAV will, in fact, be 20 tons in weight it could probably take up to several tons in useful weight, so rockets, missiles, bombs, maybe other equipment.”

Defense & Aerospace Report: “CNA’s Bendett on Russia’s Hunter UAV, Uran-9 UGV, Submarine and UUV Innovation Outlook”

 

June 25, 2018

Samuel Bendett writes, “Russia is also busy designing and testing many unmanned maritime and ground vehicles for various missions with diverse payloads.”

Mad Scientist Blog (U.S. Army): “Russian Ground Battlefield Robots: A Candid Evaluation and Ways Forward”

 

June 12, 2018

Samuel Bendett says, “There has not been such automation of Russian weapons before of the kind described here—‘self-learning’ is a new concept that is a result of more advanced software and hardware developments dealing with AI.”

C4ISRNET: “Russia Prepares for a Future of Making Autonomous Weapons”

 

June 8, 2018

Samuel Bendett says, “Russia is investing in military high-tech development, and especially in domestically produced software and hardware.”

Defense One: “Russia, Too, Is Building a Giant War Cloud”

 

June 4, 2018

Samuel Bendett says, "Russian Electronic Warfare is a developed, mature technology that has continued to develop after the collapse of the Soviet Union."

C4ISRNET: "What's the Frequency, Putin? 5 Questions About Russia's Electronic Warfare Capability"

 

May 31, 2018

Samuel Bendett says, "Uran-9 is certainly a unique UGV, since it's one of the biggest weapons of its kind tested anywhere."

Al Bawaba: "Russia is Weapons Testing Unmanned Ground Vehicles in Syria"

 

May 30, 2018

Samuel Bendett says that while AI is being developed in the U.S. private sector, "In Russia, we have a reverse of that almost, where the Ministry of Defence says, 'This is what we're going to do. We have all these departments and military schools, we have all these forums, we have all this investment. Let's put together some kind of framework where we can develop entirely and maybe get some stuff from the private sector.'"

National Defense Magazine: "Pentagon Eyeing AI Center for Tech Development"

 

May 29, 2018

Samuel Bendett says, "Russians also said they are going to show a lot more unmanned capabilities at the 2019 Victory Day Parade and this was kind of like the first run."

Defense & Aerospace Report: "CNA's Bendett on Military-Capability Insights from Russia's 2018 Victory Day Parade"

 

May 24, 2018

Samuel Bendett says, “These robots most likely will not engage in live-fire exercises, as the main goal for student designers will be navigating an obstacle course with growing complexity. On the other hand, similar contests among various design bureaus, when held in the near future, may feature such live-fire exercise.”

C4ISRNET: “Why the U.S. Should Care About Russia’s Robot Biathlon”

 

May 18, 2018

Samuel Bendett says, “In their official statements, Russian position their unmanned underwater vehicles as extensions of their military capabilities in the ‘World Ocean.’”

C4ISRNET: “Russia Hints at a Nuclear-Armed Drone Submarine for 2027”

 

May 17, 2018

Samuel Bendett speaks on AI development and the news about Google employees protesting their company's involvement with DoD's Project Maven.

Voice of America (Russia Service): "Instrument of the Pentagon"

 

May 12, 2018

Samuel Bendett says, "In reality, [the] Uran-9 tests in Syria should have garnered major attention from all major Russian news outlets, given how proud Russian [sic] are of their remote-controlled tank."

The National Interest: "Russia Confirms a Revolutionary New Tank Was Sent to Syria"

 

May 7, 2018

Samuel Bendett says, "The defense ministry announced that the robotic Uran-6 complexes designed for mine clearance were well-proven in Syria, as well as Uran-9 multifunctional reconnaissance and fire support systems."

C4ISRNET: "Russia Confirms Its Armed Robot Tank Was in Syria"

 

April 25, 2018

Samuel Bendett says, "If Gomzin's case becomes more complicated and the work at Simonov Design Bureau slows down, this may also open the door to other competitors who were so far behind."

Defense One: "The Designer of Russia's First Armed Drone Is Under Arrest"

 

April 20, 2018

Samuel Bendett says, "Over the past couple years Russians have been developing and using a lot of UAVs, UUVs, and UGVs in combat."

Defense and Aerospace Report: "CNA's Bendett on Russia's Use of Unmanned Systems"

 

April 19, 2018

Samuel Bendett writes, "All technology displayed on parade was/is in regular use, so it was probably just a matter of time before Russians started showing off their unmanned military systems."

CAAI Blog: "For the First Time, Russia Is Showcasing Unmanned Military Systems at a Military Parade"

 

April 13, 2018

Samuel Bendett says, "Syria was a major laboratory...for the Russian military technologies."

National Defense Magazine: "Russia Rolling Ahead With Unmanned Ground Combat Vehicles"

 

April 12, 2018

Samuel Bendett says, "The Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation has taken the lead right now in marshalling academic, military industrial resources, it is creating forums, it is putting people together to work on developing artificial intelligence."

Defense and Aerospace Report: "CNA's Bendett on Russia's Use of AI, Electronic Warfare, Weapons Development"

 

April 10, 2018

Samuel Bendett says, "They don't want to separate AI into good or bad, for them it is not about ethics. It is about what they can actually build."

SIGNAL: "Russia Strengthening Focus on AI Technologies"

 

April 4, 2018

Samuel Bendett says, "Russians are years away from developing UGVs that can go up against Abrams tanks."

Breaking Defense: "Russian Robots Attack! West Point Comic's (Plausible) Future War"

 

April 4, 2018

Samuel Bendett says, "There is a massive Chinese military-industrial complex behind Chinese UAV developments."

The National Interest: "China's Army and Navy Have Big Plans to Dominate and Win the Next War"

 

April 4, 2018

Samuel Bendett writes, "Russia's annual domestic investment in AI is probably around 700 million rubles ($12.5 million) – a paltry sum next to the billions being spent by American and Chinese companies."

Defense One: "In AI, Russia Is Hustling to Catch Up"

 

April 2, 2018

Samuel Bendett says, "This points to one of the biggest problems that the MOD [Ministry of Defense] and its military industrial complex have to overcome."

SOFREP News: "Despite Touting Advanced Missiles, Russia's Drone Program Lags Behind Competitors"

 

March 30, 2018

Samuel Bendett says that in Russia, "The government has taken a very active role in trying to define how artificial intelligence, unmanned systems and high-tech weapons are to be used."

Defense One: "AI: The Pros, Cons, and What To Really Fear"

 

March 30, 2018

Samuel Bendett says, "Both countries present this as a partnership of equals. But yes, for now, it's still Russia selling advanced weapons to China."

The National Interest: "Russia and China Are Now Building Weapons Together"

 

March 30, 2018

Samuel Bendett says, "They are currently focused on developing a range of prototypes, from the smallest tracked and wheeled logistics and ISR (intelligence, surveillance, & reconnaissance) robots to the tank-sized Vihr and Uran-9 armored UGVs."

Breaking Defense: "Skeptics Ask: Can the Army Field Armed Robots by 2024?"

 

March 29, 2018

Samuel Bendett writes, "The technopolis will feature all available social comforts for young specialists and their families, including shopping venues, schools, kindergartens and public transport – just like the Soviet 'secret cities' did."

War is Boring: "Russia Wants to Build a Whole City for Developing Weapons"

 

March 28, 2018

Samuel Bendett says, "The new technology Gerasimov discusses would allow Russia to conduct deep-strikes within enemy territory."

Defense One: "Russian Military Chief Lays out the Kremlin's High-Tech War Plans"

 

March 27, 2018

Samuel Bendett says, "The big takeaway is that Russia is finally and openly acknowledging the importance and irreplaceability of unmanned systems in future conflicts."

The National Interest: "Russia Just Revealed How It Will Fight the Wars of the Future (And It's Shocking)"

 

March 19, 2018

Samuel Bendett writes, "How will Russia's combat UGVs perform in battle? It's currently not clear. Russian systems – like practically all combat UGVs – are vulnerable to enemy fire."

The National Interest: "Is Russia Building an Army of Robots?"

 

March 17, 2018

Samuel Bendett writes, "Russia hasn't yet announced officially if its combat UGVs will be expendable devices, or if it plans to make them permanent fixtures in operations."

War is Boring: "What Moscow Thinks About When It Thinks About War Robots"

 

March 14, 2018

Samuel Bendett says, "Gerasimov stressed that [Russia's] forces are publicly present in the capital city and no attack from any quarter would be tolerated—or he was limiting the 'attack vector' to Damascus only and not on field conditions."

The National Interest: "Russia Sends a Chilling Warning to America Over Syria"

 

March 13, 2018

Samuel Bendett says, "Indonesia is definitely keeping its options open as it eyes China's rise and as it sees the Russians becoming more active in international conflicts and engagements."

The National Interest: "Russia's Lethal Su-35 Is Coming to Indonesia"

 

March 9, 2018

Samuel Bendett says, "The key phrase here is that it would be a 'painful process' were that to happen in the first place. He is saying that the Russian military and government have their own closed Internet systems."

Defense One: "If War Comes, Russia Could Disconnect From the Internet. Yes, the Entire Country"

 

March 7, 2018

Samuel Bendett writes, "The Foundation of Advanced Studies (FAS) stays busy these days with a variety of projects that include unmanned and robotic technologies."

War is Boring: "The Russian Military Wants Students to Design Its New Underwater Drone"

 

March 7, 2018

Samuel Bendett says, "Russians have publicly stated that they like the fact that NATO military assets have been in and around the Baltic Sea conducting their operations, giving Russians the ability to collect data on sensors, on communications and all kinds of electronic signatures."

Defense One: "Genius Machines: The Next Decade of Artificial Intelligence" [Panel begins at 2:10:30]

 

February 28, 2018

Samuel Bendett says that private military companies in Syria allow a "degree of deniability from Moscow should things go wrong."

The World Weekly: "The Mercenaries Fighting for the Kremlin"

 

February 27, 2018

Samuel Bendett says, "This UAV is still 'in development' so we might guess that a prototype can be unveiled next year and a flying concept could be unveiled by 2020."

The National Interest: "Russia Is Developing a New Long-Range Supersonic Strike Aircraft. No Pilot Needed."

 

February 26, 2018

Samuel Bendett says, "Russia considers American satellites a significant threat when it comes to potential confrontation, and is actively working to counter U.S. technologies in space."

Defense One: "Russia Claims It Now Has Lasers to Shoot Satellites"

 

February 22, 2018

Samuel Bendett was quoted in the Russian daily RBC publication on the arrival of Russia's newest Su-57 stealth aircraft to the Russian based in Syria.

RBC: "Why the Newest Su-57 Fighter Flew to Khemeymim"[Russian] [Viewable on an unfettered device]

 

February 20, 2018

Samuel Bendett says, "The key here is that the Russians are starting to move away from 'regular' UAV designs and are beginning to experiment with a variety of UAV design and applications."

The National Interest: "Here Is How Russia Hopes to Dominate the Drone Market"

 

February 1, 2018

Samuel Bendett says, "This unmanned helicopter will enhance the military capabilities of the nation's armed forces, as well as serve as a useful addition to the civilian sector such as emergency and first responders."

The National Interest: "Is the Russian Military Going Robot?"

 

February 1, 2018

Samuel Bendett says, "What's evident now is that Russia's plan to more closely integrate their EW forces with air/missile defenses is coming to fruition."

Breaking Defense: "Electronic Warfare Trumps Cyber For Deterring Russia"

 

January 25, 2018

Samuel Bendett writes, "In certain aspects of the field of unmanned military systems, Russia may be inching ahead of its competition in designing and testing a wide variety of systems and conceptualizing their future use."

Defense One: "Russia Is Poised to Surprise the U.S. in Battlefield Robotics"

 

January 21, 2018

Samuel Bendett says, "Soratnik testing in Syria may have in fact taken place considering the mine clearing UGVs that Russia has tested there and is planning to use from now on."

The National Interest: "Russia Tests New "Unmanned Ground Combat Vehicle" in Near Combat Conditions"

 

January 17, 2018

Samuel Bendett says, "We are talking about a very wide aperture for a drone-borne attack—from small quadrocopters, to plane-like UAVs that attacked Hmeimim, to potential coordinated swarms made up of small and large drones."

The National Interest: "'Swarm' Strikes Are the U.S. Military's Worst Fear"

 

January 16, 2018

Samuel Bendett says, "Robust EW defenses—in fact, the Russians are already talking about bolstering their EW even more following this Syria attack."

The National Interest: "Could This Be the U.S. Military's Secret Weapon to Stop a 'Swarm' Strike?"

 

January 12, 2018

Samuel Bendett says, "sophisticated UAV education and knowledge is spreading and more and more people are starting to get access to what was once very classified and proprietary data, including technologies that enable UAV flight and operation."

The National Interest: "Who Attacked a Russian Military Base With a 'Swarm' Strike?"

 

January 8, 2018

Samuel Bendett says, "It's very likely that such parts were most likely acquired commercially, in which case we are entering a dangerous terra incognita with respect to unsanctioned UAV use by non-state and terrorist organizations."

The National Interest: "Russia Came Under Attack by a 'Swarm' In Syria, Says Report"

 

January 4, 2018

Samuel Bendett says, "[Russians] are seeking to rapidly develop new UAV with strike capabilities and this new drone could be a test bed for that platform."

The National Interest: "Russia Is Developing a Mysterious Unmanned Strike Aircraft"

 

December 12, 2017

Samuel Bendett writes, “Over the last five years, the Russian Federation has made great strides in designing, testing, evaluating, and fielding a variety of unmanned military systems.”

The Strategy Bridge: “Red Robots Rising: Behind the Rapid Development of Russian Unmanned Military Systems”

 

December 1, 2017

Samuel Bendett says, "Russia taking a defensive stance against an international body seeking to regulate weapons other than destructive nuclear bombs should not have been such a surprise."

TechSpot: "Russia Says an International Ban Won't Prevent It Building Killer Robots"

 

November 28, 2017

Samuel Bendett says, "Russia has been increasing spending on both IT software and hardware for its military, creating domestic microchips, smart phones, notebooks and now closed Internet for the Armed Forces. These efforts were facilitated by the government and [Ministry of Defense] eager to wean themselves off the dependence on high-tech imports."

Defense One: "Russia Will Build Its Own Internet Directory, Citing U.S. Information Warfare"

 

November 28, 2017

Samuel Bendett says, "The growth in Russian unmanned military systems is going to be exponential."

Real Clear World: "The Next Step in Russia's Military Modernization? Robots"

 

November 21, 2017

Samuel Bendett says, "Russians are also unsure how exactly AI-driven military robotics systems would function given that artificial intelligence in a battlefield capacity is still an evolving concept."

Defense One: "Russia to the United Nations: Don't Try to Stop Us From Building Killer Robots"

 

November 17, 2017

Samuel Bendett says, "This particular UAV will enter service in 2018, just as the Russians will start fielding their own combat unmanned aerial vehicles - so the technology race is ongoing and Ukrainians need a truly organized public-private, interagency and whole of government effort to make their wishes for a combat long-range UAV a reality."

Defense One: "Ukraine Fields an Armed Drone for Use Against Pro-Russian Forces"

 

November 15, 2017

Samuel Bendett says, “This is MiG’s chance to prove its relevance in the rapidly evolving UAV market in Russia. Years ago they were supposed to deliver a combat model [called Skat] which never materialized. If they don’t deliver here, they may never get to take part in future projects.”

The National Interest: “This Russian Company Built Some of the World's Most Lethal Jets (And Has Big Plans)”

 

November 8, 2017

Samuel Bendett says, "[Russia has] also been stating for a while that their modernization and state armaments program will include high-tech and unmanned systems."

Defense One: "Russia Says It Will Field a Robot Tank That Outperforms Humans"

 

November 8, 2017

Samuel Bendett writes, "The Russian military announced on Oct. 30, 2017 that it will begin acquiring the Nerekhta - a ground-combat robot armed with a slew of remotely-operated weapons such as machine guns and rocket launchers."

War is Boring: "Russia Presses Ahead With Combat Robots"

 

November 1, 2017

Samuel Bendett says "The MOD [Ministry of Defense] is discussing the state armaments program and greater emphasis will be placed on funding air and space defense, strategic nuclear forces, high tech weapons and all manner of unmanned systems."

The National Interest: "Russia's New Tu-160 Will Carry Nuclear Cruise Missiles (Should America Be Worried?)"

 

October 18, 2017

Samuel Bendett says "There were some armed UGVs, but they were light, at most several hundred pounds, what was notably absent was any large-sized combat UGV."

Breaking Defense: "Armed Robots: US Lags Rhetoric, Russia"

 

October 10, 2017

Samuel Bendett says "What's interesting about the Ukrainian conflict is that it's the Ukrainian side that is developing unmanned systems it thinks will help it fight. Phantom is one such machine."

Defense One: "Armed Ground Robots Could Join the Ukrainian Conflict Next Year"

 

October 9, 2017

Samuel Bendett says "Russia does have a wide range of electronic warfare capabilities to disrupt adversary's communications on land and air, in a localized and long-range capacity."

Space News: "Army Rolls out New Plan to Modernize Communications Networks and Weapons"

 

October 9, 2017

Samuel Bendett says Russia is "looking to streamline that effort at the initial stage from zero to 100" in getting unmanned systems operational.

USNI: "Experts: Syrian War Prompting Russians to Expand Unmanned Systems"

 

October 5, 2017

Sam Bendett says that “Russia saw a distinct advantage in very quickly acquiring [an unmanned] system and learning from its operations.”

Foreign Policy: “Russian Drone Tech May Include Help From Iran”

 

October 5, 2017

Sam Bendett says that “Russia’s notoriously bureaucratic military-industrial complex is finally getting its act together on robotics, with massive new investment and significant innovation.”

Breaking Defense: “Russian Robots: Fear Jammers, Not Terminators”

 

October 5, 2017

Samuel Bendett, "believes Russia may be willing to use AI more aggressively than rivals."

Medium: "China, Russia and the U.S. Are Running Neck-And-Neck in an AI Military Arms Race"

 

October 5, 2017

CNA analysts Samuel Bendett, Olga Oliker and Michael Kofman spoke on a panel on "Russia's Military Robots: Key Trends and Developments in Russia's Unmanned Systems" at CSIS on Thursday, October 5. Click here to register.

 

September 19, 2017

The National Interest  publishes "America Is Getting Outclassed by Russian Electronic Warfare" by CNA analyst Samuel Bendett

 

September 18, 2017

The National Interest publishes "Russia's Robotics Armada Emerges" by CNA analyst Samuel Bendett

 

September 18, 2017

The National Interest publishes "Russia's Unmanned Aircraft Are Getting Lethal New Munitions" by CNA analyst Samuel Bendett

 

September 11, 2017

The National Interest quotes CNA analyst Samuel Bendett in "Should the World Fear Russia's Robots?"

 

September 8, 2017

Wired quotes CNA analyst Samuel Bendett in "For Superpowers, Artificial Intelligence Fuels New Global Arms Race"

 

September 5, 2017

CNN mentions CNA analyst Samuel Bendett's recent article "Russia's Unmanned Systems Are on the Move" in "Putin and Musk Are Right: Whoever Masters AI Will Run the World"

 

August 24, 2017

The National Interest quotes CNA analyst Samuel Bendett in “This Middle Eastern Power Might Start Buying up Lethal Russian Military Gear”

 

August 23, 2017

The National Interest quotes CNA analysts Samuel Bendett and Olya Oliker in “Report: Russia Just Signed a Deal to Sell the S-400 Air Defense System to Turkey”

 

August 22, 2017

The National Interest quotes CNA analysts Michael Kofman and Samuel Bendett in "Russia's PAK-DP Interceptor: The Unmanned Plane That Could Replace the MiG-31?"

 

August 22, 2017

The National Interest publishes "Russia's Unmanned Systems Are on the Move" by CNA analyst Samuel Bendett

 

August 18, 2017

Real Clear Defense quotes CNA analyst Samuel Bendett in "Navy Displays Glimpse of High-Tech Warfare"

 

August 18, 2017

The National Interest quotes CNA analyst Samuel Bendett in “The U.S. Navy Has Given Us a Glimpse of How It Will Fight High-Tech Wars"

 

August 7, 2017

The National Interest publishes “Could the Soviet Union Have Survived Into the 21st Century?” by CNA analyst Samuel Bendett

 

July 27, 2017

Real Clear Defense quotes CNA analyst Michael Kofman and Samuel Bendett in “Pentagon on Alert as Russia Preps for Huge Military Exercise”

 

July 13, 2017

The National Interest quotes CNA analyst Samuel Bendett in “This NATO Member Might Purchase Russia’s Mighty S-400 Air Defense System”

 

July 7, 2017

The National Interest publishes “Can Russian UAVs Close the Gap With America or Israel?” by CNA analyst Samuel Bendett

 

July 6, 2017

Harvard University Belfer Center cites CNA analyst Samuel Bendett's article "Get Ready, NATO: Russia's New Killer Robots are Nearly Ready for War" in "Artificial Intelligence and National Security."

 

June 4, 2017

The National Interest cites “Russia’s Military Robots Are on the Move” by CNA analyst Samuel Bendett in “RayTheon Has a Genius Plan to Make the Stinger Missile a Drone-Killer”

 

May 4, 2017

The National Interest publishes “Russia’s Military Robots Are on the Move” by CNA analyst Samuel Bendett

 

April 12, 2017

The National Interest quotes CNA analysts Samuel Bendett and Michael Kofman in “Russia’s Tu-160M2 Blackjack Supersonic Bomber: A Cruiser Missile Carrier?”

 

March 19, 2017

War Is Boring publishes "A Soviet Film Predicted Our Robot Apocalypse – in 1977" by CNA analyst Samuel Bendett

 

March 7, 2017

The National Interest publishes "Get Ready, NATO: Russia’s New Killer Robots Are Nearly Ready for War" by CNA analyst Samuel Bendett

 

March 1, 2017

The National Interest quotes CNA analyst Samuel Bendett in "Russia's Big ‘Guns' Are Firing a Very Different Type of ‘Bullet' These Days"

 

February 23, 2017

EurasiaNet quotes CNA analysts Samuel Bendett and Michael Kofman in "After Abandoning Chinese Missiles, Turkey Says It's Ready to Buy Russian"

 

February 22, 2017

The National Interest quotes CNA analysts Samuel Bendett and Michael Kofman in "Would Russia Really Sell the Deadly S-400 to Turkey?"

 

January 31, 2017

The National Interest quotes CNA analyst Samuel Bendett in "Russia’s Military Is Attempting to Close the Gap With America in This Key Area"

 

January 10, 2017

The National Interest publishes "How Russia’s Military Plans to Counter the Pentagon’s Drone Swarms" by CNA analyst Samuel Bendett