Integration of Small Aerial Drones in Assault Actions: Tactical Implications on Maneuver Forces

The recent transformations of the contemporary operational environment, generated by the extensive use of small unmanned aerial systems, determine a profound reconsideration of the way of conducting tactical actions. The paper analyzes the impact of the integration of these systems on the tactics of maneuver forces in the execution of assault actions. The research aims both at the use of drones for real-time observation and surveillance, and at their role as direct strike means in support of offensive actions. Based on doctrinal analysis and a comparative approach, the paper examines the influence of small unmanned aerial systems on the execution of the assault, as a stage of the offensive action, on the relationship between maneuver, fire and information and on the achievement of surprise. The results highlight that the integration of drones leads to increased battlefield transparency, reduced uncertainty and accelerated decision-making cycle at the tactical level. At the same time, their use as striking means determines the expansion of firepower at a lower tactical level and the emergence of a functional fusion between the sensor and the effector. It is thus demonstrated that drones contribute to the transformation of assault planning and execution, requiring the adaptation of maneuver force tactics to the new conditions of the modern battlefield.