US military purchases hundreds of sets of "Star Chain" terminal aid operations in Ukraine | Ukrainian military | aid to Ukraine
The outbreak of the Russia Ukraine conflict has lasted for over 500 days, and unmanned equipment plays an important role in both sides' combat operations. The key to ensuring the normal operation of unmanned equipment on the Ukrainian side lies in the behind the scenes "Space Wi Fi".
The outbreak of the Russia Ukraine conflict has lasted for over 500 days, and unmanned equipment plays an important role in both sides' combat operations. The Ukrainian 47th Brigade, which is participating in the counterattack in southern Ukraine, has set up a battalion level command post in a secret underground bunker: the commander closely monitors the information transmitted by dozens of drones on the large screen and gives instructions to the frontline artillery.
CNN reporter
You can sit here and see how close the artillery is to the Russian target. You can tell them
Soldiers of the 47th Brigade of the Ukrainian Army
Yes, we will guide them.
CNN reporter
Can you help them reposition, to the far, near, left, or right?
Soldiers of the 47th Brigade of the Ukrainian Army
Yes.
Ukrainian unmanned boat deployment in the Black Sea: capable of carrying hundreds of kilograms of explosives
The Ukrainian military recently made public to the media for the first time the unmanned boats deployed in the Black Sea. These unmanned boats can perform reconnaissance and strike missions and are easy to operate. Each unmanned boat can carry 300 kilograms of explosives and strike targets 800 kilometers away. The Ukrainian military stated that the design and production of unmanned boats were independently completed.
Since the second half of 2022, the Ukrainian military has repeatedly used unmanned boats to launch attacks on Russian military facilities and ships in Crimea and its surrounding areas.
Ukrainian unmanned boat operator
The weapons on Russian warships are mainly used to attack other warships, and they cannot attack such small unmanned boats. They are faster than all other ships in the Black Sea.
Putin: Russian military implements preventive strikes on unmanned boat production bases in Ukraine
On July 17th, the Crimean Bridge connecting mainland Russia and the Crimean Peninsula was attacked, causing traffic to be temporarily interrupted. Russia accuses Ukraine of using two unmanned boats to carry out the attack. Afterwards, the Russian military launched several consecutive days of fierce airstrikes on the important port town of Odessa in southern Ukraine, citing attacks on unmanned boat production bases.
Russian President Putin
As the journalists have seen, the Russian armed forces have carried out preventive strikes on the origin and production sites of unmanned boats.
The number of in orbit "Star Chain" satellites has exceeded 4500
For unmanned equipment, ensuring stable network signals is crucial - according to The New York Times, US Secretary of Defense Austin has recently approved the Pentagon's purchase of 400 to 500 sets of Starlink ground terminals to provide to Ukraine.
"Star Link" is a system developed and operated by the US Space Exploration Technology Company, which provides high-speed Internet connection through a large number of low orbit satellites, and is known as "Space Wi Fi".
The company launched the first batch of 60 "Star Chain" satellites into space in May 2019, and plans to build a "Star Chain" network consisting of approximately 12000 satellites by 2024. The lower the orbit altitude of the satellites, the narrower the real-time observation range of the Earth, so the more satellites are needed.
In 2020, the second generation "Star Chain" program was announced, and Space Exploration Technology Company planned to deploy an additional 30000 satellites, bringing the total number of satellites to 42000. At present, there are over 4500 satellite links in orbit.
The voice traditional Internet satellite is as big as a school bus and operates in an orbit about 36000km from the earth's surface. Compared with the "Star Chain" satellite, it is much smaller and operates in an orbit about 550km from the earth's surface.
Musk Company imposes restrictions on the use of "Star Chain" by the Ukrainian military
After the start of the Russo Ukrainian conflict, the "Star Chain" officially entered Ukraine. At present, there are over 42000 "Star Chain" terminals in Ukraine, with users including the Ukrainian military, hospitals, enterprises, and social organizations. In fact, space exploration technology companies have set many restrictions on the use of Starlink on the Russian Ukrainian battlefield. For example, when the Ukrainian army approaches Crimea, the company will prohibit its use of terminals to receive signals; In addition, Musk, the founder and CEO of Space Exploration Technology, has explicitly stated that the Ukrainian military cannot use the Starlink system for remote drone attacks. American media believe that after the US military's procurement, the Ukrainian military will no longer be subject to interference from space exploration technology companies during certain specific missions.
Expert: "Star Chain" provides communication resources to ensure the intelligence advantage of Ukraine
