Can Drones Drop Military Pollution Levels?

Can drones cut the huge pollution problems caused by the world’s militaries? Mostly electric-powered, they could.

NATO’s military spending last year totaled $1.34 trillion. Member militaries also produced approximately 233 million metric tonnes of CO2 equivalent (tCO2e). The research showed this was more than Qatar’s annual GHG emissions. Other studies of the environmental impact of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and the Middle East conflicts showed similar results. The study comes from the Transnational Institute, Tipping Point North South, and the Netherlands’ Stop Wapenhandel.

Military Pollution Problem –Much Worse Than Expected?

Axios says drones are already changing military operations and, in some cases, have replaced heavy polluting weapons like tanks. The news outlet reported: “In Ukraine, skies teem with unmanned aerial systems that can guide shelling or act as bombs. Ukrainian forces reportedly withdrew U.S.-provided M1A1 Abrams tanks from the front lines because of the threat.” They have also, in some cases, replaced fuel-powered rockets.

Gas Powered Drones

Drones only partially solve the pollution problems. Fossil fuel-driven engines sometimes power those that go long distances. However, Enercon states, “While large long-distance drones such as the MQ-9 (Reaper) use energy-dense fossil fuels, this limits where and how they can be used. In line with the development of civilian recreational drones, using electric propulsion powered by lithium-ion batteries has broadened the potential users of electric military drones. This allows small units in the field to carry, command, and recharge drones on the move.”

The huge success of drones in Ukraine was unexpected. And some have one other unexpected benefit. It is not gas-powered.