Why the Ukraine war is being called a war of flying lawn mowers

In short: The phrase “flying lawn mowers” started as a nickname for loud attack drones in Ukraine, and it now reflects a wider shift toward cheaper, smarter drones in war.

What's going on

In Ukraine, people began calling Iranian-made Shahed-136 attack drones “flying lawn mowers” because of their loud buzzing sound, which can resemble a lawn mower. Russia has used these drones in long-range attacks during the war. The drones are relatively low-cost compared with cruise missiles, but they can still travel hundreds of kilometers and hit targets like power infrastructure.

The same basic idea, small flying machines doing dangerous work, has been building for years. Analysts have used lawn mower comparisons before to describe how drones became a common tool for remote attacks. Over time, drones have moved from early, limited models to systems that can stay in the air longer and strike targets from far away.

The Ukraine war has also shown how quickly drone use can spread when the drones are cheap. Both sides have widely used FPV drones (first-person-view, meaning the operator sees a live video feed, like piloting with a headset or screen). Newer versions may use AI guidance (software that helps a drone navigate or aim) or even fiber-optic cables to stay connected when radio signals are jammed.

What to watch

Experts warn that more drones may be able to fly and select targets with less human control. Some incidents, including a reported 2020 attack in Libya, have raised concerns about drones acting more independently. For now, many militaries still say a human should make the final call to reduce mistakes, especially when civilians could be nearby.

Source: NYTimes