Strategic Military Applications of Unmanned Aerial Systems in Modern Warfare: A Case-Based Analysis

doi:10.15683/kosdi.2025.9.30.515

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2025 Vol.21, Issue 3 Preview Page Next Page

Original Article

Strategic Military Applications of Unmanned Aerial Systems in Modern Warfare: A Case-Based Analysis 현대 분쟁에서 무인항공기의 군사적 활용 전략: 사례 기반 분석: 차순형¹*ㆍ김경태²ㆍ서주희³
Soonhyeong Cha¹*, Kyeongtae Kim², Juhui Seo³; ¹Researcher, Protective Engineering, Seoul National University of Science and Technology, Seoul, Republic of Korea
²Researcher, Protective Engineering, Seoul National University of Science and Technology, Seoul, Republic of Korea
³Researcher, Protective Engineering, Seoul National University of Science and Technology, Seoul, Republic of Korea

30 September 2025. pp. 515-523

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Abstract

Purpose: This study aims to analyze the military applications of Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) in recent armed conflicts. It seeks to demonstrate how UAS have evolved into a strategic core asset in modern warfare. Method: A literature-based analysis was conducted focusing on the wars in Ukraine–Russia, Armenia–Azerbaijan, and Israel–Hamas. The study compared and examined drone deployment methods and technical characteristics across different phases of military operations. Result: UAS were found to perform diverse tasks reconnaissance, strike, resupply, and electronic warfare in an integrated manner, thereby enhancing combat effectiveness. Notably, autonomous flight capabilities and low-cost platforms contributed to operational agility and sustainability. Conclusion: Unmanned aerial systems are no longer auxiliary tools, but strategic assets reshaping the very concept of military operations. Future military strategies must be redesigned with UAS as central elements of force structure.

Keywords

Unmanned Aerial Systems

Modern Warfare

ISR-Strike Integration

Loitering Munition

Electronic Warfare

AI-enabled Battlefield Management

연구목적: 본 연구는 최근 분쟁에서 무인항공기(UAS)의 군사적 활용 양상을 분석하는 것을 목적으로 한다. 이를 통해 UAS가 현대전에서 전략적 핵심 전력으로 진화하고 있음을 밝히고자 한다. 연구방법: 우크라이나‑러시아, 아르메니아‑아제르바이잔, 이스라엘‑하마스 전쟁 사례를 중심으로 문헌 분석을 실시하였다. 작전 단계별 드론 활용 방식과 기술적 특징을 비교·검토하였다. 연구결과: UAS는 정찰, 타격, 보급, 전자전 등 다양한 임무를 유기적으로 수행하며 전투 효율을 높이고 있었다. 특히 자율비행과 저비용 플랫폼은 작전의 기민성과 지속성을 강화하는 데 기여하였다. 결론: 무인항공기는 더 이상 보조적 장비가 아니라, 작전 개념 전반을 바꾸는 전략적 자산이다. 향후 군사 전략 수립 시 중심 전력으로서의 재설계가 필요하다.

키워드

무인항공기

현대전

정찰 및 타격 연계

자폭 드론

전자전

AI 기반 전장 관리

References

Allen, G.C. (2025). The Russia-Ukraine Drone War: Innovation on the Frontlines and Beyond. Debate, CSIS, pp.1-5.
Borsari, F. (2024). “Russia’s Shahed-type drones are losing their bite in Ukraine.” Defense News, Aug 27, 2024.
Choi, Y.I. (2024). Verification of the Three Core Effects of the Drone Revolution. Master Thesis, Graduate School, Wonkwang University.
Düz, S., Koçakoğlu, M.S. (2025). Deadly Algorithms: Destructive Role of Artificial Intelligence in Gaza War. SETA Report, pp.20, 29-32.
Eshel, T. (2024). “Israel’s indoor surveillance and attack drones.” Defence Update, Jun 19, 2024.
Jeong, G.S. (2025). Development Strategies for Firepower Operations in Unmanned and Manned Hybrid Combat Systems. Master Thesis, Department of Defense Power Studies, Graduate School of Defense Science, Hansung University.
Kunertova, D. (2023). “Drones have boots: Learning from Russia’s war in Ukraine.” Contemporary Security Policy, Vol. 44, No. 4, pp. 576-591. 10.1080/13523260.2023.2262792
Seo, K., Cho, S.K., Kim, J. (2022). “Development of drone combat system focusing on the Azerbaijan-Armenia war.” Journal of The Korean Institute of Defense Technology Vol. 4, No. 3, pp. 1-7. 10.52682/jkidt.2022.4.3.1
Whelan, C. (2023). “The 2020 Nagorno Karabakh war: Unmanned combat aerial vehicles in modern warfare. Air and Space Power Review, Vol. 25, No. 2, pp. 48-70.

Information

Publisher :The Korean Society of Disaster Information
Publisher(Ko) :한국재난정보학회
Journal Title :Journal of the Society of Disaster Information
Journal Title(Ko) :한국재난정보학회논문집
Volume : 21
No :3
Pages :515-523
DOI :https://doi.org/10.15683/kosdi.2025.9.30.515

[1] Allen, G.C. (2025). The Russia-Ukraine Drone War: Innovation on the Frontlines and Beyond. Debate, CSIS, pp.1-5.

[2] Borsari, F. (2024). “Russia’s Shahed-type drones are losing their bite in Ukraine.” Defense News, Aug 27, 2024.

[3] Choi, Y.I. (2024). Verification of the Three Core Effects of the Drone Revolution. Master Thesis, Graduate School, Wonkwang University.

[4] Düz, S., Koçakoğlu, M.S. (2025). Deadly Algorithms: Destructive Role of Artificial Intelligence in Gaza War. SETA Report, pp.20, 29-32.

[5] Eshel, T. (2024). “Israel’s indoor surveillance and attack drones.” Defence Update, Jun 19, 2024.

[6] Jeong, G.S. (2025). Development Strategies for Firepower Operations in Unmanned and Manned Hybrid Combat Systems. Master Thesis, Department of Defense Power Studies, Graduate School of Defense Science, Hansung University.

[7] Kunertova, D. (2023). “Drones have boots: Learning from Russia’s war in Ukraine.” Contemporary Security Policy, Vol. 44, No. 4, pp. 576-591. 10.1080/13523260.2023.2262792

[8] Seo, K., Cho, S.K., Kim, J. (2022). “Development of drone combat system focusing on the Azerbaijan-Armenia war.” Journal of The Korean Institute of Defense Technology Vol. 4, No. 3, pp. 1-7. 10.52682/jkidt.2022.4.3.1

[9] Whelan, C. (2023). “The 2020 Nagorno Karabakh war: Unmanned combat aerial vehicles in modern warfare. Air and Space Power Review, Vol. 25, No. 2, pp. 48-70.

Journal of the Society of Disaster Information ISSN:1976-2208(Print) 2671-5287(Online) 한국재난정보학회논문집

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