Ukraine leveraged open-source software in a drone assault against Russia

In a bold and unprecedented move, Ukraine recently launched Operation Spiderweb, a major drone operation targeting four airbases deep inside Russian territory. The operation, which showed no signs of ending, has been making waves across the globe due to its innovative use of homegrown drone technology.

At the heart of Operation Spiderweb lies the ArduPilot project, a open-source software system initially designed to build an autopilot system for Arduino-based hardware. Launched in 2007, ArduPilot has grown significantly over the years to become one of the most versatile and widely used open source autopilot systems today.

The drones used in Operation Spiderweb were not ordinary ones. They were designed to function as kamikaze drones, a departure from ArduPilot's original intent. However, the drones were controlled using the open source software, with ArduPilot being used to set flight paths and manage navigation for the drones.

The drones in Operation Spiderweb were smuggled across the border inside modified shipping containers loaded on trucks. This clandestine operation involved over 100 FPV drones, each capable of causing significant damage.

Among the Russian aircraft destroyed were strategic bombers like the Tu-95, Tu-160, and Tu-22M3. The operation resulted in the destruction and damage of 41 Russian military aircraft, a stark reminder of the potential of DIY drone technology.

Chris Anderson, one of the co-founders of ArduPilot, was unaware that their creation was used in Operation Spiderweb. Anderson, who built an early prototype of ArduPilot using a Lego Mindstorms kit, expressed surprise and pride at the innovative use of their creation.

The community around ArduPilot has been growing steadily, with developers and contributors from all over the world. The ArduPilot community, an independent group of developers and contributors, develops and maintains the open-source software system, not directly tied to any single organization or person.

For those interested in more details about Operation Spiderweb, the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU/SSU) has released an official statement. The operation, while bold and innovative, serves as a testament to the potential of DIY drone technology and the lengths to which nations will go to protect their sovereignty.