American engineers have introduced a new development in military technology – a compact drone system that fits into a backpack, equipped with a laser target designator and automatic guidance system. The new system can perform functions previously available only to large unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and specialized ground-based complexes.

The system is designed for rapid target designation for aviation, artillery, and precision-guided weapons. The complex includes a vertical take-off mini-drone, a laser designator module, and a tablet-based control terminal. The entire set weighs about 12–15 kilograms and can be deployed by a single operator within minutes.

The device was developed by one of the leading U.S. defense technology companies, known for its cooperation with the Pentagon and the U.S. Air Force. According to experts, the system is intended to reduce frontline units’ dependence on large reconnaissance drones, providing greater mobility and stealth.

“We’re building a system that fits into a backpack but offers the functionality of an entire reconnaissance complex. This will change how ground forces and aviation interact”, said a representative of the developing company.

The next-generation laser designator can operate over several kilometers and is synchronized with GPS and inertial navigation systems. The automatic target-tracking feature, powered by artificial intelligence, enables the drone to keep a moving object in view even as it maneuvers. Moreover, the system’s compatibility with NATO weapons platforms allows data to be transmitted in real time to allied air and artillery units. The drone can also be equipped with additional sensors such as thermal imagers, rangefinders, and electronic warfare (EW) modules.

Experts note that the emergence of such portable systems marks the next step in the miniaturization of military reconnaissance and target designation:

• Enhanced autonomy for small units. Such systems allow platoon-level or even individual soldiers to designate targets without relying on aviation or large UAVs.
• Increased operational flexibility. The complex can be used not only in conventional combat but also in special operations, reconnaissance, and artillery fire correction.
• Reduced vulnerability. Unlike large drones (such as the MQ-9 Reaper), the backpack system is harder to detect and does not require a runway or satellite control channel.
• Counter-EW resilience. Mini-drones with short flight durations and localized communication links are less susceptible to jamming or interception – a critical advantage amid the widespread use of electronic warfare seen on the Ukrainian front.
• A global trend. Similar projects are underway in the UK, Israel, and South Korea. By bringing such a system into serial production first, the U.S. may gain a tactical edge in mobile reconnaissance and target designation.

“The arrival of backpack drones with laser designators is the technological equivalent of the introduction of portable radios in the 20th century. They will radically change how troops coordinate and call in fire”, said Robert Lewis, a defense analyst at the Center for Military Innovation in Washington.

According to sources within U.S. defense circles, the first prototypes are already undergoing field tests with Special Operations Command (SOCOM) training units. If trials prove successful, mass production is expected to begin in 2026, with deployment planned for U.S. and allied forces.

09.10.2025 11:52