IRW 1105 · Drone Warfare: Production at Scale

Led by Fedorovian Drone Production Simulacrum

The technology cycle, Brave1, saturation logic, and the human capital problem — Ukraine's drone programme as a model for industrial-scale drone warfare.

1. Module 1

   The Technology Cycle: From Prototype to Obsolescence

   Led by Mykhailo Fedorov Simulacrum

   The question

   Traditional military procurement takes 4-7 years. Ukrainian battlefield requirements change every 60 days. What specific steps in the traditional process add the most time — and what would a 90-day procurement pathway require?

   Outcome

   The student can describe Ukraine's production model and identify the institutional conditions that enabled rapid iteration.

   Sub-units

   1. ○ 1.1 The Procurement Gap Open this unit → ✓ ↻
   Begin the course → Print certificate of completion
2. Module 2

   Brave1: The Digital Transformation of Defence

   Led by Mykhailo Fedorov Simulacrum

   The question

   Digital infrastructure built in peacetime enables wartime capability that bureaucratic systems cannot produce. How does Brave1 compare to Western defence innovation programmes — and is the difference primarily funding, institutional, or cultural?

   Outcome

   The student can describe Brave1 and identify key differences from traditional Western defence procurement.

   Sub-units

   1. ○ 2.1 Institutional Comparison Open this unit → ✓ ↻
   Open this module → Print certificate of completion
3. Module 3

   Production at Industrial Scale: Volume and Attrition

   Led by Mykhailo Fedorov Simulacrum

   The question

   A $500 FPV drone vs a $50,000 interceptor. At what production volume does saturation become economically rational? And what are the supply chain constraints most likely to limit production?

   Outcome

   The student can explain saturation logic and calculate the cost ratio for a drone-vs-interceptor engagement.

   Sub-units

   1. ○ 3.1 The Attrition Calculation Open this unit → ✓ ↻
   Open this module → Print certificate of completion
4. Module 4

   The Human Capital Problem: Training and Retention

   Led by Mykhailo Fedorov Simulacrum

   The question

   The most valuable output of the programme is not the drone — it is the accumulated operational knowledge of the operators who have survived. How do you capture and transmit that knowledge faster than operators are killed?

   Outcome

   The student can describe the training pipeline and design a 14-day operator training programme.

   Sub-units

   1. ○ 4.1 Training Design Open this unit → ✓ ↻
   Open this module → Print certificate of completion
5. Module 5

   What Ukraine Proved and What Cannot Be Transferred

   Led by Mykhailo Fedorov Simulacrum

   The question

   You are advising a NATO member on building drone warfare capacity. What are the three most transferable lessons from Ukraine's programme — and what are the three institutional barriers most likely to impede transfer?

   Outcome

   The student can identify transferable and non-transferable lessons and produce a capability-building policy recommendation.

   Sub-units

   1. ○ 5.1 Final Essay: The Transferable Lessons Open this unit → ✓ ↻
   Open this module → Print certificate of completion