"The reference to “artificial intelligence” and “autonomous target identification” likely pertains to advanced image processing technology and target tracking, which indeed plays a role in the “machine learning” aspects of drone operations. However, it doesn’t imply full autonomy, as these systems still rely on operator input.
The technology essentially assists operators in the guidance and targeting process, rather than enabling complete autonomy. Nevertheless, it’s worth noting that autonomous target searching and identification are features commonly associated with reconnaissance drones.
While the integration of AI and improved target tracking represents progress, the nature and extent of these developments require careful scrutiny."
And from their original source
"Although it should be noted that behind the rather loud words about "artificial intelligence" and "self-searching goal" is more than the well-known technology with self-supporting purpose, for which certain elements of "machine learning" are really used", but this is not the autonomous work of the drone.
The bottom line is that all calculations for self-supporting take place on the computer of the operator who processes the image from the drone and captures the target and leads the drone to it. That is, the communication dependence of the station and the drone is maintained.
If you take other videos of the use of "Lance", the operator, it seems, had to update the intersection with "hands", or independently managed the drone. That is, such a system is indeed an innovation that could potentially increase the accuracy of the "Lancets", but is not what Russian military and propagandists are trying to invent from it.
At the same time, automatic search for targets and their identification is more relevant to the operation of reconnaissance drones. Which is also being actively implemented on Ukrainian UAVs, because again we are talking about new software capabilitie"
As far as I understand it this talks about asisted targeting as in the drone operatore still has to give some inputs while hitting the target "The technology essentially assists operators in the guidance and targeting process, rather than enabling complete autonomy."
While this video talks about basically a drone that got jammed engaged autonomos targeting and continued on its path hitting the target without any operator input
Autonomous targeting and autonomous target identification are to very different thing.
One is actively keeping it's sight on the target even after conection is lost and hits it independently without the need for a pilots input the other one helps the pilot identify the target but he still has to engage it himself
Tho Sternenko did mentione that
"And the enemy, unfortunately, also has similar developments.
The Russians have been testing a similar technology for more than a month, so we should invest all the more in development.
And when the product is completely ready, we will involve the state in procurement.
To scale even more."-Sternenko
