In the context of a prolonged war in Ukraine that claimed the lives of hundreds of thousands of people, the Russian side is resorting to the development of cutting-edge technologies to bolster its military capabilities. Among these technologies, particular attention is drawn to NVIDIA Jetson artificial intelligence, which, despite international sanctions, continues to be supplied to Russia for drone production without hindrance.
NVIDIA Jetson is an artificial intelligence development platform that enables the creation of fast and powerful solutions in computer vision, robotics, and machine learning. This technology allows for automatic object recognition, real-time video processing, and decision-making based on the data obtained.
These capabilities make drones equipped with NVIDIA technologies extraordinarily effective in carrying out military tasks such as surveillance, target acquisition, and precision strikes. Thanks to these technologies, Russia can conduct more precise attacks, leading to significant losses among Ukrainian military personnel and civilians.
The “Lancet” UAV can be used for reconnaissance and strike missions. Its maximum flight range is 40-50 km, depending on the subversion, and its maximum takeoff weight (MTOW) is around 12 kg. In combat mode, it can be armed with fragmentation-high explosive and cumulative warheads.
It features electro-optical guidance as well as a television guidance block, allowing control of the munition during the final phase of flight. The drone is equipped with intelligence, navigation, and communication modules. A unique feature of the UAV is that its guidance modules are interchangeable and can be adapted for different tasks. The available range of sensors is quite broad, including cameras in both infrared and visible spectrums, laser designator guidance, target search sensors, gas analyzers, and radiometers.
Despite sanctions imposed by many countries around the world, the Russian military complex has found ways to circumvent these restrictions by establishing connections with various suppliers and companies willing to cooperate with the Kremlin. This indicates that international sanctions are not always a sufficient tool for deterring aggression, and the technological war continues against a backdrop of humanitarian catastrophe.
The use of technologies like NVIDIA Jetson not only strengthens Russia’s military capabilities but also escalates the conflict. This not only threatens the safety of Ukrainians but also leads to the destruction of infrastructure, devastation of lands, and ruin of cities. The war in Ukraine has already become one of the most destructive in European history, and cutting-edge technologies only exacerbate its horrific consequences.
Economic sanctions and restrictions in the microelectronics market are critical tools for deterring aggressive actions by Russia. However, it is important that the sanctions are truly effective and comprehensive, as circumventions of these restrictions can undermine their impact. Only coordinated efforts by the international community can ensure an effective mechanism for deterring and limiting the development of Russia’s military-industrial complex.
