UKRAINE hopes its “invincible” drones could change the trajectory of the war as production of the lethal weapon ramps up.
Excitement has been stirred in Ukraine by new fiber-optic drones, introducing deadly weapons that can morph into unjammable flying bombs, avoiding electronic shields, and executing precise strikes.
Fiber-optic drones are first-person-view weapons that carry a small explosive payload.
In the past, drones were dependent on a radio frequency connection that could be easily disrupted by electronic signal jamming. However, the new drones are designed with thin cables that establish a stable connection over long distances.
These cables play a crucial role in sustaining a dependable link between the drone and its operator, making them resilient against traditional electronic warfare tactics that have posed challenges for Ukraine in the past.
On top of this, the drones provide high-quality video transmissions, granting troops the power to not only receive early warning for incoming FPV drones, but destroy them too.
The breakthrough drones have emerged as a response to electronic warfare – which both Ukraine and Russia use to decimate each others weapons.
Electronic systems interference has become a key part of the war – and consequently the technology race.
Russia had introduced fiber-optic drones in the bloody war last year, with the weapons having a prominent place in the conflict by winter.
Initially there was some scepticism from those who work within the efforts to scale up the drone production in Ukraine, especially surrounding how the tech would perform.
But now the weapons are in very high demand and are seen as a main part of a rapidly evolving battlefield.
Ukrainian developers began working on the tech in 2023, according to senior executive in Ukraine’s defence industry Nataliia Kushnerska.
She told Business Insider: “That year saw the creation of the first prototypes and initial testing conducted by the manufacturers themselves.
“Today, Ukrainian producers have already transitioned to serial production of these systems.”
Kushnerska added that dozens of teams across Ukraine were now working on fiber-optic drones – and the numbers continue to increase.
She explained how companies could produce thousands of the deadly drones each month.
Other company CEO’s and founders shared their hesitations with the drones initially, but as time went on and knowledge of the drones continued to expand, manufacturers realised the addition of fiber-optic cables would be a modification to their drones.
And by halfway through last year, it was clear that the weapons were an essential on the battlefield.
Despite there being various manufacturing and production challenges due to the demand not being high enough for the drones, electronic warfare tactics began to interfere with typical communication channels.
This marked the beginning of fiber-optic drones becoming a necessity in the war.
Representative Oleksii of Warbirds of Ukraine, which produces drones, revealed that the fiber-optic weapons “are essential because they remain operational in electronic warfare environments”.
He told Business Insider: “When used with the right technology, they can significantly improve the accuracy of strikes.
“This is one of the evolutionary steps in developing new approaches to counter electronic warfare systems.”
At Warbirds of Ukraine alone, the drones can now be produced at a whopping 700 systems a moth.
Fiber-optic drones are just one part of Ukraine’s ever-changing defence industry, with the country also producing homemade artillery and missiles to help the frontline troops.
What is a fiber-optic drone?
A FIBER-OPTIC drone is a first-person-view weapon that carries a small explosive payload.
Unlike previously where drones relied on a radio frequency connection that was vulnerable to electronic signal jamming, the drones are now built with thin cables.
These provide a stable connection across several miles.
Due to the cables being able to maintain a reliable link between the drone and the operator, they’re resistant to conventional electronic warfare practices that have troubled Ukraine previously.
On top of this, the drones provide high-quality video transmissions, granting troops the power to not only receive early warning for incoming FPV drones, but destroy them too.
