About drones, magnetism and zimmerit
During the second half of World War II, German vendors covered the armor of tanks and other fighting vehicles with zimmerit. This coat prevented the magnetic anti-tank mines used by infantry to stick to the steel and thus preventing their effect.
Magnetic mines and zimmerit became obsolete as employing such mines was deemed too dangerous for the operator, especially compared to the then-new rocket-propelled grenade. Shortly after the war, a grenadier could engage an armored vehicle from hundreds, later thousands of meters away, marking a shift in military tactics.
Well, it was history.
Nowadays, massive proliferation of drones change the dynamics once again. During the last two years, heavy drones have been used to carry and throw HEAT grenades vertically. Terminal velocity is irrelevant for the effectiveness of a shaped charge, making vertical drops a viable method for achieving desired outcomes.
It is perfectly possible for a micro / FPV drone to fly slow and drop the payload on the most vulnerable spot. Until now improvised or reused ammunition has been used, because you go to war with what you have. However, future industrial-made payloads can be provided with magnetic attachment solutions in order to assure correct attachment. Comparing with World War II:
- Lives of operators would be spared
- Zimmerit is not used since 80 years ago
It remains to be seen whether magnetic payloads are widely adopted. The advantage in certain scenarios is that it would increase the probability of success by ensuring that the payload adheres to the target metal surface.
Anyways, the flight envelope of a quadcopter offer both quick enough speed (in order to reach a vehicle in motion), or as slow as needed in order to reach a weak spot of a static target, either dropping a payload to it or just land onto it.
Be that as it may, it is really urgent to change the mentality of the defender. It will be increasingly rare for their vehicles to be attacked level and in the frontal arc using effectors that carry a fast and straight trajectory.
