First Person Video (FPV) drones were developed from commercially available high-speed remote racing UAVs (unmanned aerial vehicles) and described by some, such as Ukraine’s Minister for Digital Transformation Mykhailo Federov, as “the weapons of the future.”
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The drones are piloted by operators who receive live video feed from the drones through a headset and goggles which allows remarkably precise control of the unmanned aircraft. The video below, which was released by the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense on Sept. 25, shows that in the hands of an experienced operator just how maneuverable and difficult to stop these drones can be.
It shows a drone, fitted out for kamikaze attack, flying through a forest, nimbly weaving around and between trees, and entering a Russian dugout before the picture disappears as the explosive warhead attached to the drone detonates.
The best delivery service ever.
— Defense of Ukraine (@DefenceU) September 24, 2023
FPV drones of the joint tactical group "Adam" deliver gifts to the occupiers directly to their dugouts. pic.twitter.com/tolEAP3kGK
Any number of videos showing FPV drones chasing and striking Russian tanks, trucks, and troops in trenches are frequently posted on Telegram and X/Twitter channels, such as shown below:
Another Russian T-72 attempted to break the record for the "longest turret flight." To achieve such a result, the AFU needed slightly less than $1,000, compared to the tank's cost of 3-4 million dollars.
— Saint Javelin (@saintjavelin) September 18, 2023
Ukrainian forces are using FPV drones, with extremely high efficiency… pic.twitter.com/drzUChjdEP
In another case we see an FPV finding and destroying another (enemy) drone:
📹 Mykhailo #Fedorov, head of the Ministry of Digital Transformation, published footage of a drone battle.
— KyivPost (@KyivPost) May 24, 2023
The video shows a Ukrainian drone destroying a Russian drone near #Bakhmut, #Donetsk Region. pic.twitter.com/8RetriTt7C
The threat from these drones is such that both sides have been searching for ways of defeating them. These have primarily focused on high-tech detection and destruction systems, such as:
- Radio frequency jammers which disrupt or mask the drone’s control signals
- GPS spoofers which fool the drones into thinking they are somewhere else
- Cyber Takeover Systems (CTS) uses AI to hack and takeover control of the drone
When all else fails one other way is to erect a barrier between the drone and the target, which seems to be an option Russia has taken to with alacrity and has recently been seen to be deploying its interpretations of the theory.
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Many Russian tanks have been seen equipped with what the Russian Ministry of Defense terms a dynamic protection module, but others call a “BBQ grill” which is intended to provide stand-off protection from drones and top attack anti-tank missiles.
Photo: Ukrainian army destroyed Russian tank https://t.co/zZxK7CbTV7 via @Armia_fm #Ukraine pic.twitter.com/uQchYw8Q0k
— Liveuamap (@Liveuamap) March 10, 2022
Following successful drone attacks against Russian airfields, such as the one in Pskov on Aug. 30 in which four Il-76 transport aircraft were destroyed, the Kremlin came up with novel ways of protecting their aircraft.
Car Tires
Brace yourselves, because russians have once again showcased unparalleled innovation. What you are looking at is a satellite image featuring a TU-95 strategic bomber covered with car tires. According to them, this should protect strategic bombers from drones pic.twitter.com/ZjDDzRPOWf
— Tatarigami_UA (@Tatarigami_UA) September 3, 2023
Netting and cages
Not just tyres! #Russia's genius protection systems have an upgrade.
— Tim White (@TWMCLtd) September 10, 2023
Netting support structures for each plane seems to be the idea.#RussiaIsLosing pic.twitter.com/CdZ9QxP1wQ
And the latest brainwave is to hanging nets between lamp posts at intervals along logistic routes because FPV drones often follow vehicles along roadways; the longer and straighter the road the better the chance for a successful hit.
Only it doesn't seem very effective...
⚡️This morning there was a video with anti-drone nets hanging Wagner above the road near Bakhmut, and already in the evening a video testing their effectiveness 😉 pic.twitter.com/eGXVbfsrJ1
— 🪖MilitaryNewsUA🇺🇦 (@front_ukrainian) September 25, 2023
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