Audio Briefs Relative Superiority in the Drone Age: McRaven’s Playbook Meets Ukraine’s Airfield Assaults
Jun 2, 2025
Benjamin Jensen, a CSIS expert and author, delves into the shifting dynamics of modern warfare influenced by drone technology. He highlights Ukraine's innovative use of drones in Operation Spiderweb to target Russian bomber bases, reshaping military strategies. Jensen stresses the need to rethink airbase defenses amid these evolving tactics and discusses the broader geopolitical consequences of such operations. Tune in for a fascinating take on how drones are revolutionizing conflict and the implications of their deployment.
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Ukraine's Drone Airbase Raid
- Ukraine used truck-launched FPV drones to attack four Russian bomber bases before dawn on June 1, 2025.
- Over 30% of Russian bombers were damaged in Operation Spiderweb, disrupting their air assault capability.
McRaven's Theory Applied Today
- Admiral McRaven's 1993 thesis explains how small raiding forces create disproportionate battlefield effects through speed and surprise.
- This relative superiority theory applies in modern drone warfare, as shown by Ukraine's airfield assault.
Historical Airfield Raids
- In 1942, British special forces targeted German airfields in Egypt, showing a long history of ground attacks on aircraft.
- Ukraine's recent drone raids continue this tradition, now enhanced by long-range strikes and reconnaissance.