Source: Central Military
In the conflict between Russia and Ukraine, the news about the use of FPV drones, that is, "first-person view" drones, to launch attacks by Russia and Ukraine has attracted attention. So, what are the characteristics of FPV drones, and what variables does the use of such drones add to battlefield conflicts? Military observer Zhang Xuefeng brings his interpretation.
What is a "first-person view" drone?
Data map: Ukrainian soldiers operate FPV drones in frontline positions (source: Global Times)
Moderator: FPV drones have been widely used in the Russia-Ukraine conflict. What are the performance characteristics of FPV drones, and why are they favored by Russia and Ukraine?
Zhang Xuefeng:
Normally, the FPV drone will have a camera that transmits the video to the rear controller in real time, that is, the pilot, and the pilot seems to be sitting on the drone, so it is called a "first-person view" drone.
The current FPV UAV is mainly based on civilian UAVs for modification, such as the installation of a rocket-booster grenade warhead, which can penetrate three or four hundred millimeters thick armor through high-temperature, high-pressure, and high-speed jets, which can be used to hit tanks. There are also some FPV drones, which can be used to attack personnel by simply installing a piece of explosives and a detonating device.
Russia and Ukraine are competing for research and development
Data map: In Lviv, Ukraine, employees of UAV companies test fly new FPV UAVs (source: CCTV today's attention)
Moderator: At present, drone developers in Russia and Ukraine are competing to develop FPV drones that are free from radio interference and fly longer ranges. The video released by the Ukrainian side shows that under the condition that the electronic warfare system is suppressed, the Ukrainian FPV drone locked on and hit the Russian tank. According to Russian experts, a new control module has been developed that can increase the flight range of Russian FPV drones. In the Russia-Ukraine conflict, what results have both sides achieved in using FPV drones?
Zhang Xuefeng:
There is a video showing that the FPV drone took turns to strike a tank several times, which eventually paralyzed the tank. According to the Ukrainian side, 80%-90% of the Russian tanks, armored vehicles and other equipment destroyed by them in a specific period of time were destroyed by FPV drones.
FPV drones are also widely used by the Russian side, and the tactics of both sides using FPV drones are constantly adjusted to adapt to changes in the battlefield. For example, in the past, FPV drones could achieve better results by attacking tanks and armored vehicles from the side, but later both sides added some additional armor, and the strike tactics of FPV drones changed. For example, it will attack from the rear of the tank, because the rear armor of the turret is relatively thin, and the drone can dive into the junction between the turret and the hull, causing damage to the tank.
The "cat and mouse game" is playing out
Data map: Russian "Daur-M2" air defense system (source: Global Network)
Moderator: In modern local warfare, UAVs have become an increasingly important combat force, and at the same time, anti-UAV technology is also developing rapidly, and the "cat-and-mouse game" between UAVs and anti-UAVs is ongoing. So what are the countermeasures against FPV drones?
Zhang Xuefeng:
First of all, take the initiative to attack the opponent's pilot. The position of the opponent's drone pilot can be located through the electronic warfare system, and the more skilled party can also intercept the image information transmitted back by the opponent's FPV drone to determine the position of the pilot.
Second, it is necessary to intercept through soft and hard killing. Hard killing is the use of missiles and anti-aircraft artillery to intercept FPV drones, but this interception is more difficult to implement. Russian technicians have done relevant tests, and air defense systems such as "Daur" and "Pantsir-S1" can only detect such UAVs at a distance of three or four kilometers. Moreover, FPV drones are small in size and difficult to hit, if calculated according to the hit rate of 50%, it will take thousands or even tens of thousands of shells to hit the FPV drone. Because the hard kill effect is not good, both sides are now considering the use of soft kill, that is, the use of electronic jamming systems. Ukrainian soldiers once said in an interview that in the past, FPV drones could penetrate five or six kilometers deep into the opponent's front line, but after being interfered with, it may only be three or four kilometers. Later, during the battle in Bakhmut, the drone lost contact as soon as it entered the battlefield.
Finally, there is a passive defense. For example, tanks and armored vehicles are equipped with some protective nets to further defend against the armor-piercing warheads carried by FPV drones.
The development trend of FPV drones
On January 22, local time, the Ukrainian military received about 500 FPV drones (source: CCTV today's concern)
Moderator: Based on the current battlefield situation and countermeasures, what aspects can FPV drones focus on making breakthroughs in the future?
Zhang Xuefeng:
First, improve the ability to resist interference. For example, FPV drones can automatically lock on to the target in the final attack stage, and even if their own control signals are interfered with, they can still strike at locked tanks and armored vehicles.
Second, increase the striking distance. Ordinary FPV drones are limited by battery capacity and the strength of the control signal, and can fly a maximum of more than a dozen kilometers and can only hit front-line targets. Now Russia has come up with a solution, which is to develop a drone mother machine, through which this large drone carries a small FPV drone and penetrates deep into the opponent's depth. At the same time, the mother machine itself is also a communication relay node, which can be used as a "setter" for communication to help the rear pilot transmit control signals.
Third, the development of standardization. The FPV UAV is modified by military technology, and the standardized FPV UAV is more reliable, more portable, and more efficient.