A typical aerial reconnaissance tactic involves revisiting targets that were previously surveyed during the day, especially at night. Therefore, all activities on the battlefield should be minimized, even at night. If movement is necessary, it should be as close to buildings as possible and under dense trees or other cover. Strict light discipline must be observed at night (always remind yourself and others of the dangers of starting a fire, using flashlights, lighting cigarettes, turning on headlights, or using electronic screens in the field).
To confuse the enemy, you can set up some lights in false positions to draw their fire. Thermal blankets, like the common emergency blankets, can be used to cover trenches. If possible, purchase and use polyester film covers, cloth, or other materials that are highly effective at reflecting infrared radiation. Thermal blankets are especially helpful in thermal imaging. Blow image shows the appearance of the heat insulation blanket in the thermal imaging.
Ensure that you and your comrades' phones are always in "flight mode". This prevents the enemy from assessing the actual number of people at your position. Additionally, it reduces the chance of detection by direction-finding devices. This rule is critical because, apart from the number of people on the position, the enemy could also access your phone numbers and other personal information about you and your family.
Examples of signal aggregation in mobile phones, Wi-Fi and radio receivers detected by aviation reconnaissance:
Minimize Group Movements and Use Natural Cover
Only act within the area of responsibility when absolutely necessary. Avoid moving in groups unless required. Use natural objects like bushes, ditches, tall grass, and trees to camouflage movements, and maintain sufficient spacing between soldiers. Observation posts are often compromised when personnel arrive, equip themselves, or change observers. Avoid clustering, leaving fresh footprints, gathering in shelters for meals, changing shifts at the same time, or resupplying all at once. These predictable actions make you an easy target for enemy drones. Routine, unchanged activities can reveal your position, as the enemy might already be watching.
Stay in the Shade
It’s best to stay in the shade at all times, both when moving and when hiding from drones. Avoid sudden movements or running, as these can easily attract attention. Be mindful of shadows in the early morning and evening, as long shadows on the ground are visible to drones.
Use Decoys to Distract the Enemy
Sometimes, setting up fake targets can divert the enemy’s attention. This forces them to expend resources on scouting or attacking these decoys. These can be fake weapons (like machine guns or mortars), fake vehicles, or equipment set up in false directions to simulate your presence and draw enemy focus away from your actual operations.
Monitoring and Detecting Enemy Drones
Continuous Airspace Surveillance
A critical part of maintaining safety is establishing a continuous airspace monitoring system. The earlier you detect enemy drones, the more time you have to prepare for possible attacks or unwanted surveillance. Drones are easier to hear at night than during the day. By day, drones flying at altitudes of 100-300 meters are harder to spot, so you’ll typically hear them before seeing them. Optical devices and radio scanners can help detect drones at a distance. For instance, a helicopter flying at night can be spotted from up to 1 km away using thermal imaging.
Treat Unknown Objects as Enemy Drones
Until you have definite confirmation that an object in the sky is friendly, always assume it’s an enemy drone. It’s highly recommended to equip your unit with frequency analyzers and anti-drone guns to improve your counter-drone capabilities. However, don’t overlook the need to camouflage the anti-drone gun operator. The distinctive appearance of anti-drone weapons makes operators easy targets, so the equipment should be repainted or covered with camouflage material to reduce visibility.
Avoid Running Back to Your Position
If you spot an enemy drone high above, don’t run back to your position, as it will lead the enemy straight to your troops’ deployment. Stay still and minimize your profile. Static targets are harder to detect than moving ones. If you must move, do so along pre-planned routes that do not directly lead to your position.
Dealing with Low-Flying Enemy Drones
If an enemy drone is hovering low above your position, it is likely that you’ve been spotted, and an attack is imminent. In this case, you must immediately take cover. If you cannot find cover, move quickly, changing direction every 7-10 meters and running in an S-shape to make it more difficult for the enemy to make an accurate strike.
Not All Covers Are Suitable
Not all cover is effective for hiding from drones. Drones often conduct side reconnaissance and can fly very low, so simple, open covers are insufficient. Additionally, if an enemy drone is hovering above, try using light weapons to shoot it down, but follow your orders and avoid blind firing. A couple of guns are not enough—create a barrage of fire.
Avoid Recovering Downed Drones
It is not advisable to retrieve a downed drone, as it might be rigged with a trap.
Signal Detection and Electronic Warfare
Drones Equipped with Radio Reconnaissance
Some enemy drones are equipped with radio reconnaissance systems. Even if they don’t visually spot your position, they can estimate your location based on radio signals, phone user concentrations, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth signals. The presence of more than three GSM devices (such as phones or tablets) in one area can create a detectable signal concentration, drawing the enemy’s attention. Therefore, all devices on the position should be set to flight mode. If communication devices are necessary, avoid using three or more devices at once. If possible, create false signal concentrations away from your actual position.
