With the help of electronic warfare tactics that blinded Moscow on some parts of the frontlines, Ukraine has made significant advances in the Kursk region, forcing Russian troops back on the battlefield.
The sudden advances made by Kyiv’s forces have pushed the Russians to explore an option to counter Ukraine’s electronic warfare. They have developed a drone that’s immune to radio jamming and depends on fiber optics to continue its operations.
Controlled by fiber-optic cable, the unmanned system is claimed to ensure high accuracy and resistance to electronic warfare.
Details shared by the Russian military Telegram channel Siberian Army on August 18 reveal that the drone is reportedly called “Prince Vandal of Novgorod”.
Developed by the Ushkuynik Scientific and Production Center in Novgorod, the new weapon can destroy its target without being affected by radio jamming.
Ukraine captured a Russian prototype fiber-optic drone back in March, but this appeared to be one of a kind. Ukrainian developers were known to be working on a similar design, and German company HIGHCAT is demonstrating its HMX fiber-optic drone in Ukraine this month, reported Forbes.
Kyiv’s success in Kursk region required extensive preparation as the military identified all active frequencies and deployed enough jamming systems to neutralize all drones in the area.
The new FPV kamikazes use a method similar to wire-guided missiles like the TOW system.
The system allows the transmission of high-resolution video signals without relying on radio frequencies. As a result, fiber-optic drones can effectively counter assaults that depend on electronic warfare to protect armored vehicles.
Meanwhile, it emerged that a company is selling fiber-optic drone controllers on the open market. Skywalker Technology, which has an office address in Singapore, but some call it a Chinese company, offers multiple types of fiber-optic drones.
Skywalker sell a number of drones with military applications including one armed with rockets and another kamikaze type, plus devices to convert consumer quadcopters into bombers. Their latest offering is a fiber-optic guidance set to replace radio control. As with previous designs, it comes with a considerable weight penalty; a 5 km/ 3 miles cable reel weighs about two and a half pounds, according to Forbes.
However, there are expected to be some challenges with fiber-optic drones as the use of wire limits the range that drones can fly. Also, in certain types of areas, wires could get tangled or broken.
The major challenge could be the distance from where the operator handles such drones, as a short distance could pose significant risks to operators.
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Prabhat Ranjan Mishra Prabhat, an alumnus of the Indian Institute of Mass Communication, is a tech and defense journalist. While he enjoys writing on modern weapons and emerging tech, he has also reported on global politics and business. He has been previously associated with well-known media houses, including the International Business Times (Singapore Edition) and ANI.
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