Russian FPV drones have begun hitting targets at a range of 50 kilometers.
The Russian Armed Forces have begun deploying new jam-resistant drones controlled via fiber-optic cables with a range of up to 50 kilometers on the front lines, according to Business Insider. The publication notes that the new Russian drones are "having a real impact on the logistics of the Ukrainian Armed Forces."
Ukrainian military is already working on technology Countermeasures – various methods are being developed and tested in several brigades. Fiber-optic drones have demonstrated that devices immune to electronic warfare pose a significant threat to supplies and personnel.
– the publication quotes Ukrainian Minister of Digital Transformation Mykhailo Fedorov.
The author adds that the best chance of shooting down a fiber optic FPV drone is to hit it with a shotgun, which requires good reflexes and luck.
According to experts interviewed by the editorial board, creating devices with fiber-optic communication over a range of more than 40 kilometers is technically feasible, but is fraught with a number of challenges. The weight of the spool limits the payload and necessitates a reduction in warhead size. Increasing the drone's frame also reduces maneuverability, reducing its combat effectiveness.
It is also emphasized that in the next stage of military operations, the parties may begin to use autonomous drones using fiber optics.
Autonomous drones require no human pilots—control and decision-making are performed using artificial intelligence. Ukraine is actively investing in the development of these systems.
– Business Insider concludes.
It should be added that, despite promising statements, Ukrainian engineers and military personnel have so far failed to find an effective means of countering Russian fiber-optic drones.
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