"Dozens of Drones Swarmed Like a Giant Jellyfish": The Identity of Iran's New Weapon Witnessed by a U.S. Pilot [Current Affairs Show]

Suspicions Over Acquisition of 'Networked Swarm' Technology
Military and Economic Support from China and Russia... U.S. Faces Stalemate in Talks

■ Broadcast: The Asia Business Daily 'So Jongseop's Current Affairs Show'

■ Host: Political Specialist So Jongseop

■ Producer: Ma Yena PD

■ Guest: Reporter Lee Hyunwoo

In April of this year, the sighting of a drone swarm by a U.S. Air Force F-15 pilot who ejected after being shot down over Iranian airspace has caused alarm within the U.S. intelligence community. The pilot testified that dozens of Iranian drones flew in formation like a single living organism, moving as if they were a giant jellyfish. Experts warn that this technology is an advanced drone swarm control technology currently held by only a handful of powerful nations such as the United States, China, and Russia, indicating that Iran's technological capabilities could be far higher than previously estimated.

A Drone Swarm Moving Like a Jellyfish...Suspicions Over 'Connected Network' Technology

AFP Yonhap News

The pilot, who was rescued by U.S. special forces, told intelligence officials that at the time of the crash, dozens of Iranian drones did not fly independently, but moved naturally as one organic entity. Experts analyze this as a feature of 'connected network' drone technology.

This technology involves one 'leader drone' commanding the entire swarm. The leader drone is equipped with a miniaturized 5G base station, enabling the drones to share commands in real time via their own small-scale communication network. In addition, defensive programs must be installed to counter enemy radio jamming and hacking attempts.

If this system functions in combat, a command sent only to the leader drone would allow the rest of the drones to automatically fly in formation or focus their attack on a target, dramatically expanding the range of offensive and defensive applications.

The issue is that, until now, it was believed only a few major powers, such as the United States, China, and Russia, possessed this technology. Iran, for its part, is believed not to have a properly established 5G network and has been assessed as only being capable of producing simple 'flying bomb' drones that carry and drop explosives.

However, U.S. intelligence authorities are carefully reviewing the authenticity of the testimony, taking into account that the pilot suffered a head injury while ejecting. If Iran has indeed acquired such technology, there are growing concerns that future U.S. military operations could face unforeseen threats.

Rebuilding Drone Capabilities Despite Sanctions...Suspicions of Russian and Chinese Backing

TASS Yonhap News Agency

Although the United States and Iran shifted to negotiation mode after the April clash and avoided a full-scale war, it is believed that Iran has already restocked a significant portion of its depleted drones in the two months since. Given that domestic production in Iran would have been difficult due to U.S. airstrikes, it is suspected that the drones were imported from Russia and China.

Russia is reported to have acquired Iranian Shahed drone manufacturing technology during the Ukraine war and now produces more than 6 to 7 million units annually. There are suggestions that these drones may have been re-exported to Iran. Although China officially states it does not export military supplies to Iran, suspicions remain that drone parts and semiconductors are being supplied through various shell companies.

Experts believe that Iran still possesses thousands of attack drones and may have acquired advanced technologies such as the connected network system through its exchanges with China and Russia. The recent downing of another U.S. drone over Iranian airspace is also cited as evidence of Iran's technological advancement.

Amid U.S. economic sanctions and the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, suspicions have arisen that Russia's 'shadow fleet' is helping Iran acquire drones and fund its military. Russia has reportedly purchased large numbers of obsolete oil tankers nearing retirement from around the world to form a smuggling fleet. These ships completely turn off their tracking devices and travel through dangerous waters where their routes are difficult to trace, earning the moniker 'shadow fleet.' Russia is said to operate 1,900 to 2,000 vessels in this shadow fleet alone.

The smuggling method is also sophisticated. Russian, Iranian, and Qatari crude oil are mixed together on a single tanker and sold to China. According to current international sanctions regulations, if more than 50% of the cargo originates from a particular country, that country is considered the source. By blending in 51% Dubai or Saudi oil, which is not subject to sanctions, the remaining 49% can be of Iranian or Russian origin, thereby circumventing sanctions. The foreign currency thus procured is believed to flow to the Iranian government, funding the Revolutionary Guard Corps and the military.

Anti-War Sentiment Rising in the U.S....Negotiations Also Deadlocked

Reuters Yonhap News

Anti-war fatigue regarding the Iran conflict is spreading rapidly in the United States. Recent polls show support for the Iran war has dropped to 24%, with the main reason cited as financial hardship caused by soaring gasoline prices. The U.S. Senate has passed a resolution calling for an end to the Iran war, with a significant number of Republican defections. Calls for an early end to the war are gaining traction even among Republican lawmakers conscious of the November midterm elections.

At the negotiating table, however, the gap between the two sides remains wide. U.S. President Donald Trump announced that Iran had agreed to accept IAEA nuclear inspections and allow American inspectors to participate, but Iran refutes that no such agreement exists. Iran also rejects the U.S. claim that the use of frozen assets will be limited to agricultural products and daily necessities.

From Iran's perspective, frozen funds are not simply an economic issue. With the Revolutionary Guard Corps and military in urgent need of foreign currency to pay overdue salaries, there is even talk of a possible coup if the release of funds is delayed. Military funds cannot be covered by frozen assets designated for daily necessities, making this the biggest sticking point in negotiations. As the United States loses effective sanction leverage against Iran and the two sides fail to narrow their differences, there are concerns that talks will become protracted and deadlocked.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.