Multidomain without illusions: unmanned systems between war, markets and the state

The modern operational environment is no longer defined by the traditional triad of land, sea, and air. That framework, once fundamental to military and strategic thinking, is rapidly losing relevance. In its place emerges a far more complex reality, shaped by simultaneity of operations, the constant flow of data, and the ability to act coherently across multiple domains at once.

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23 april 2026 | 12:13 | Source: Gazeta Morska | Prepared by: Kamil Kusier | Print

fot. Krzysztof Miłosz / Akademia Marynarki Wojennej

The second panel of the forum devoted to multidomain unmanned systems did not attempt to speculate about distant technological futures. Instead, it offered a grounded and often uncompromising assessment of the current state of play, identifying both real progress and systemic shortcomings that continue to limit development.

He showed something far more important than new technological solutions. He showed that the biggest challenge today is not building drones. The biggest challenge, as emphasized by all participants in the discussion moderated by Mariusz Marszałkowski, deputy editor-in-chief of Defence24, is building a system that is able to connect them with one another.

Multidomain as a concept still in search of meaning

Despite its growing presence in military doctrines and industry narratives, the concept of multidomain operations remains far from clearly defined. For Prof. Marek Grzybowski, the starting point is not technology itself, but the operational environment and the practical contexts in which unmanned systems are deployed.

- Unmanned systems are clearly dual-use—civilian and military. If we look at maritime areas, these are spaces that are very easy to penetrate—by smugglers of people, goods, and, of course, narcotics.

Rather than engaging in abstract definitions, he pointed to concrete challenges that characterize today’s maritime domain, including porous borders, illegal fishing, the activities of shadow fleets, and the vulnerability of critical infrastructure. These examples illustrate the complexity of the environment in which unmanned systems must operate.

At the same time, Prof. Marek Grzybowski emphasized a point that is often overlooked in technological discussions:

- These are not just technical devices. If we talk about a system, then it is a system in which the human plays a very important role.

This observation fundamentally reframes the discussion. Multidomain operations are not simply about machines functioning across different environments, but about human-designed systems interacting with dynamic and often unpredictable realities.

From platforms to systems: a structural transformation

A more operational and industry-oriented perspective was presented by Dr. Marek Grzybowski, who highlighted the ongoing shift in the maritime sector away from platform-centric thinking toward system-based approaches.

- This is not a solution for single missions. This is a full system that integrates all platforms into one operational software environment.

In practical terms, this approach involves combining unmanned surface vessels, underwater platforms, and amphibious systems into a unified operational structure. The defining feature, however, is not the diversity of platforms but the integration that allows them to function as a coherent whole.

- The system operates continuously across missions. It is not about individual platforms - it is about a coordinated system of systems.

This shift has significant implications for how value is generated in the sector. Hardware alone is no longer sufficient to ensure competitiveness. Increasingly, it is software, data integration, and command-and-control architectures that determine operational effectiveness. Platforms become components within a broader ecosystem rather than standalone solutions.

Space as the integrating layer

An important conceptual contribution came from Marcin Sarnowski, who proposed a different way of understanding the role of space in multidomain operations.

- I would not treat space strictly as a separate domain. It is more of a layer that integrates all other systems.

From this perspective, space-based infrastructure provides the connectivity that enables communication and coordination between systems operating in different domains. Without it, individual platforms risk becoming isolated units, incapable of sharing data or contributing to a broader operational picture.

- If we do not ensure communication between maritime and aerial systems, each of them will remain just a silo.

This insight underscores the idea that multidomain capability is not defined by the number of domains involved, but by the degree to which they are effectively integrated. In this context, space plays a crucial role as the backbone of communication and data exchange.

Autonomy: operational reality versus popular perception

The discussion on autonomy and artificial intelligence was notably pragmatic, avoiding exaggerated scenarios and focusing instead on operational constraints and real-world applications.

Piotr Halicki pointed out that full autonomy remains largely theoretical:

- No system is truly autonomous. Even an unmanned aerial vehicle has to land somewhere, recharge, or offload data.

In practice, autonomy should be understood as the ability of a system to continue executing predefined tasks in the absence of communication with an operator.

- Autonomy should mean that a mission is pre-defined, and the system executes it - even if communication is lost.

This may include returning to base, continuing search-and-rescue operations, or completing assigned tasks within defined parameters. What it does not imply is unrestricted decision-making or independent mission changes beyond the original programming.

- It is not about a drone deciding to change its mission or act independently beyond its programming.

Such a perspective contrasts sharply with popular narratives that depict artificial intelligence as replacing human control. Instead, AI is better understood as a tool that enhances efficiency, accelerates decision-making, and improves operational outcomes within clearly defined boundaries.

Integration as the central challenge

If one issue united all participants, it was the problem of integration. The challenge does not lie in the absence of advanced technologies, but in the difficulty of connecting them into a functional whole.

As Piotr Halicki noted:

- Most manufacturers produce black boxes that are very difficult to integrate. You cannot connect them, you cannot extract data, you cannot combine them into a system.

This results in a fragmented landscape characterized by incompatible systems, isolated data streams, and limited interoperability. Even in Ukraine, where unmanned systems are being tested and deployed at an unprecedented scale, integration remains a major obstacle.

The paradox is evident. Technological capabilities continue to advance, yet the absence of coherent system architecture prevents them from reaching their full potential.

Ukraine and the transformation of the market

The war in Ukraine has fundamentally reshaped both the technological and economic landscape of unmanned systems. According to Dr. Marek Grzybowski, development cycles have been dramatically shortened:

- Ten years ago, these systems required years of testing and enormous resources. Today, with AI, development cycles have been drastically shortened.

Equally significant is the shift in cost structures and operational expectations:

- A drone must cost roughly the same as a 155 mm artillery shell. If you have such a drone - we will buy any quantity.

This reflects a broader transformation from high-cost, highly specialized systems toward scalable, cost-effective solutions designed for mass deployment. Durability is increasingly replaced by expendability, and precision by volume.

Ukraine’s advantage lies not only in its battlefield experience but also in its ability to adapt processes. Systems that prove effective in combat are deployed immediately, without the lengthy certification procedures typical of Western systems. This creates a rapid innovation cycle based on real-world validation and continuous iteration.

Poland’s potential and structural limitations

In contrast, Poland presents a more complex picture. As Prof. Marek Grzybowski observed, the country possesses significant scientific and technological potential, but it remains fragmented and insufficiently coordinated.

- We have scientific potential. But it is dispersed. It is not organized for joint action.

This lack of coordination affects collaboration between industry, academia, and the state, as well as the ability to commercialize technologies effectively. Marcin Sarnowski highlighted an additional structural issue:

- Companies develop technologies, but they do not know what the state actually expects from them.

As a result, many projects reach intermediate levels of technological maturity but fail to progress further due to the absence of clear demand or strategic direction. The gap between development and deployment remains one of the key challenges for the sector.

The strategic importance of speed

A recurring theme in the discussion was the role of time as a decisive factor. The comparison between different innovation systems revealed significant disparities.

In the United States, evaluation and selection processes for new technologies can take only a few months. In Poland and much of Europe, similar procedures often extend over a year or more.

Marcin Sarnowski captured this difference succinctly:

- How do we see drones in three years? As they are needed today - because only then will they actually be ready.

In a rapidly evolving environment, delays in decision-making and implementation can result in lost opportunities and diminished competitiveness. Speed, therefore, becomes not merely an operational advantage but a strategic necessity.

Dual-use as a foundation for development

The concept of dual-use technology emerged as a central element of sustainable development in the sector. Military demand often provides the initial impulse and funding necessary for innovation, while civilian applications enable scaling and long-term viability.

- We would not have started this project without a military impulse. Only then did it become viable for civilian applications.

This interplay between military and civilian markets highlights the importance of coordinated strategies that leverage both domains rather than treating them separately.

Systems, not platforms

The discussion left little doubt about the direction of future development. The evolution of unmanned systems will be driven by integration across domains, software-based architectures, rapid development cycles, and scalable solutions.

Poland, as well as Europe more broadly, possesses the technological capabilities required to compete in this field. However, the decisive factor will not be the availability of technology, but the ability to transform it into functioning, integrated systems within a competitive timeframe.

The central question, therefore, is not whether the necessary tools exist, but whether they can be effectively combined and deployed faster than others.