how Russian FPV drones on fiber optics are used in the North-West zone –

A representative of the Simbirsk Design Bureau (SKB) “Piranha” told RT about the successful combat testing of the FPV drones of the same name using a fiber-optic control system.

“All our FPV drones fly perfectly in the NWO zone using fiber optics. These are the “shock” kamikaze “Piranha-10” and the new “Piranha-13”, which is capable of performing logistics tasks and carrying out remote mining. Optical fiber has a number of nuances, but in general this technology is indispensable for performing tasks in conditions of strong enemy electronic countermeasures,” a representative of the Ulyanovsk enterprise told RT.

As the specialist explained, the fiber optic coil installed on the drone is connected to a ground station. The cable controls the flight of the UAV and transmits video images. This modification of the FPV drone is invulnerable to enemy electronic warfare systems, says a SKB representative.

“The application scheme may look like this: first you need to determine the sources of electronic warfare. Destroy them using a “bird” on the optical fiber, and then calmly use “wireless” drones – both attack and reconnaissance,” said RT’s interlocutor.

However, he noted that at the front line it is not always possible to conduct electronic reconnaissance to detect electronic warfare sources. In this case, drone pilots can immediately launch drones on fiber optics.

“High-quality optical fiber should not be damaged or tangled in trees. The fiber optic reel itself is quite an expensive product and takes up part of the drone’s payload (about 2.4 kg). Such a “bird” goes one way. However, in conditions of electronic countermeasures at distances of up to 10 km, this is the most effective method of combat use of a kamikaze drone; at a greater distance, there is a high probability of optical fiber breakage,” explained a SKB representative.

As reported at the enterprise, fiber-optic communications are in great demand among military personnel due to complete protection from radio frequency interference and attempts to intercept control by the enemy. Also, the advantages of optical fiber are instant data transmission and reliable operation without loss of signal quality.

However, using a cable to control a UAV is not without some costs. In particular, this scheme limits the mobility of the FPV drone and makes it a little more difficult to control the drone.

“ATGM at minimum wages”

In early November, the Russian Ministry of Defense published footage of the combat use of FPV drones controlled via fiber optic wires in the Kursk border region. The strikes hit a tank and a pickup truck of the Ukrainian Armed Forces. The department carried out crews of kamikaze drones from one of the airborne units of the North group of troops.

“Equipped with ammunition, modern FPV drones controlled via fiber optics go hunting. Soon a Ukrainian tank is discovered on the highway, accompanied by a pickup truck with an electronic warfare system. With an accurate strike, flying around a Ukrainian Armed Forces pickup truck, the FPV drone operator hit and destroyed an Ukrainian Armed Forces tank,” the press service of the Russian Ministry of Defense reported.

With a precise strike, the drone pilots of the “winged infantry” hit the tank, causing the ammunition to explode. The car with the driver and passengers was then destroyed. The effective combat work of UAV operators makes it easier for Russian assault teams to complete missions.

“Crews of UAVs of the Airborne Forces in the units of the North group of forces are constantly evolving. Guardsmen-paratroopers receive new knowledge. And engineers from manufacturing plants develop equipment taking into account the requirements of the front. And as a result of coordinated work, thousands of units of military equipment of the Armed Forces of Ukraine were destroyed,” the military department noted.

RT has repeatedly reported on the successful use of FPV drones on fiber optics. In particular, this type of drone is used by the legendary Aida special forces group “Akhmat”, stationed in the Kursk region. At the end of September, RT military correspondent Vlad Andritsa reported the destruction of the Ukrainian Armed Forces hangar by launching over ten FPV drones into the breach.

As military observer Alexander Zimovsky stated in a commentary to RT, in 2024 the Russian army significantly expanded the practice of kamikaze drone strikes using fiber optics. Currently, a huge number of such attacks are being carried out in the Kursk border region.

“Fiber optic drones are now very actively used in the Kursk region. Judging by quite a lot of footage, Russian drone operators have established control over the roads along which Ukrainian Armed Forces military equipment moves. Very serious damage is caused to the enemy. At the same time, drone operators, on the contrary, find it convenient to control kamikazes using fiber optics along roads or in other open spaces,” Zimovsky explained.

The expert’s conclusion is confirmed by information from the enemy. Ukrainian “volunteer”, specialist in the field of communications and electronic warfare Sergei Flash (real name – Beskrestnov) believes that Russian FPV drones on fiber optics have become a big problem for the Ukrainian Armed Forces, including in the Kursk region. He made this statement at the end of October in an interview with Ukrainian journalist Nikolai Feldman.

As the “volunteer” said, Russian industry has mastered the mass production of drones with fiber-optic communications. According to him, this kind of kamikaze of the Russian Armed Forces most often attacks objects covered by electronic warfare systems. The priority of Russian drone pilots is Western armored vehicles. At the same time, Ukrainian troops are deprived of effective means of combat, Flash said.

“We can say that (kamikaze on fiber optics. – RT) this is an ATGM at minimum wages. There are 5 km reels, there are 10 km reels. They do not get tangled and fly calmly over trees, branches, and bushes. The only thing is that such a drone flies more straight, calmly turning and flying around (target – RT),” said Flash.

Based on the spinning principle

In addition to the Piranha, Russian troops are actively using the FPV drone Prince Vandal of Novgorod. The drone is characterized by high quality image transmission and support of the control signal until it hits the target.

The UAV was created by the Ushkuynik Research and Production Center. According to open data, Prince Vandal of Novgorod (KVN) destroyed a large number of armored vehicles, including Leopard 2A6, Abrams and Stryker.

On August 21, one of the developers of the drone, co-organizer of the Dronnitsa combat UAV operator rally, Alexey Chadayev, reported in his Telegram channel that the cost of NATO equipment destroyed with the help of KVN was close to $1 billion. In September, “Prince Vandal of Novgorod” was presented to Russian President Vladimir Putin .

As Sergei Tovkach, General Director of KB AviaNovations, Candidate of Technical Sciences, stated in a commentary to RT, fiber-optic FPV drones have a number of significant features that drone operators need to take into account.

“The fiber optic spool is suspended at the bottom of the drone and unwinds like a spinning rod. The flight of the UAV must be smooth, because the optical fiber can burst during jerks and sharp bends. The operator also needs to take into account that optical fiber does not withstand strong winds and cold weather. It’s best to point the fiber optic FPV closer to the ground. This is the safest for optical fiber and at the same time unexpected for the enemy,” Tovkach explained.

The expert considered the advantages of fiber-optic drones to be complete invulnerability to electronic warfare, high quality and speed of transmission of control signals. All this allows the operator to hit enemy targets more accurately.

“Optical fiber provides high-quality video transmission and fast storyboarding, which helps to better navigate the situation and strike more accurately. However, you should not rely entirely on such FPV drones. Russian drone pilots achieve the highest results using both types of UAVs, depending on the specific situation,” concluded Tovkach.