A member of the Ukrainian Special Forces UAV (unmanned aerial vehicles) unit, Typhoon, asserts that gamers could be better equipped to operate drones in real-life combat than one might initially assume. The connections between video games such as Call of Duty and the conflict between Russia and Ukraine are admittedly minimal; however, while one allows for immediate retrying of failed attempts, the other carries severe and deadly repercussions.
Drones are being utilized by both Russian and Ukrainian forces, buzzing ominously across the skies. At first glance, controlling an unmanned system like a drone may seem similar to video gaming with their headsets and joystick-like control mechanisms, but it becomes significantly more complex when faced with potential sabotage like signal jamming or drone attacks. Typhoon operators also need to account for the terrain and the rapidly changing battlefield conditions, as well as communicate and coordinate with their team.
In an interview with Business Insider, members of Typhoon have indicated that, despite the vastly increased stakes in warfare, gamers often possess more transferable skills than one might think. “People might believe that flying a military drone is akin to playing Call of Duty, until they realize there’s no option to restart,” an operator states. In Call of Duty, players can deploy the Breacher Drone, a small device that travels in a straight path until it either crashes into something or identifies an enemy and detonates.
While actual combat isn’t as straightforward as flying a drone directly toward a target, Typhoon seeks operators who can learn and adjust rapidly to a battlefield that is continuously evolving. This includes quick analytical abilities that assess outcomes effectively, a skillset that gamers are famously known for possessing.
“Gamers become exceptional drone pilots because they are accustomed to fast-paced scenarios on the screen, just like in real drone operations.”