In this talk, Ryan McBeth—retired anti-tank infantryman, open-source intelligence analyst, and YouTube creator—breaks down how drone warfare in Ukraine has evolved from hobbyist quadcopters to a cutting-edge battlefield of innovation, autonomy, and electronic warfare.
Free members can watch on YouTube below:
Recorded live on May 1, 2025, this presentation explores:
How FPV drones became Ukraine’s most feared weapons
The rise of bombers like the Backfire K1 and interceptors like the Fowler
Russia’s growing reliance on jamming and Ukraine’s countermeasures, including fiber-optic guidance and code-rotating transmitters
DIY drone factories, battlefield feedback loops, and rapid innovation cycles
Counter-drone tech: from shotguns and lasers to acoustic detection grids
Ryan also discusses the future of drone warfare, the challenge of defending against cheap, attritable systems, and what this means for global security—and the next war.
Members can access the Power Points for this slide deck below:
