Ukraine Finds Nvidia AI Chip in New Russian Missile, HUR Says

Ukraine’s military intelligence, known as HUR, has discovered an Nvidia Jetson Orin computer module in Russia’s latest S-71 Monochrome air-launched cruise missile, suggesting the use of artificial intelligence technology, according to a report on August 12th. The identification was made public on the HUR's "Components in Weapons" section of their War&Sanctions portal.

This portal tracks foreign electronic components found in Russian weapons utilized against Ukraine. As of now, 35 such components have been documented in Russian weapons, according to the HUR.

The HUR's specialists found the Nvidia Jetson Orin module within the S-71 Monochrome missile, a new Russian air-launched cruise missile. The presence of this computer module may imply the inclusion of artificial intelligence technologies in the missile's operation. However, the exact functions of the Nvidia module remain undisclosed by the agency.

This discovery is part of an ongoing effort by Ukrainian intelligence and research institutions to trace the origins of foreign electronics used in Russian weapons. Other components identified by the HUR include parts of a passive radar seeker installed on Geran-2 drones, designed to target Ukrainian air-defense systems and radar stations.

The HUR also found a Chinese Honpho TS130C-01 camera from a Geran-4 jet-powered drone. Additionally, they discovered components of the active radar seeker used in Russia’s Kh-47M2 Kinzhal aeroballistic missile.

Ukrainian specialists and researchers are continually examining captured Russian weapons and tracking the origins of their electronic components, aiming to assist Ukraine and its partners in identifying critical foreign technologies used in Russian weapons. This information could strengthen defenses against those components reaching Russia. According to the HUR, two years of research have shown that Russia has yet to fully replace foreign high-tech components with domestic alternatives.

The HUR emphasizes the need for increased sanctions pressure and coordination among the civilized world, as demonstrated by the recent discovery of the Nvidia Jetson in a new Russian missile. The agency notes that limited production capacity hinders Russia's ability to maintain continuous high rates of drone launches, leading to the buildup of reserves before conducting intensive attacks.