FPV drones give Ukraine edge in countering Russian UAV operations

A new type of air defense, featuring anti-aircraft FPV drones, emerged in late summer and has already delivered results beyond expectations, according to Defense Express.

Ukrainian FPV drones have effectively countered Russian reconnaissance UAVs. For example, the Nebesnyi Rusoriz project, led by volunteers under Serhii Sternenko, has successfully destroyed over 400 enemy drones. Among these were 211 Zala, 137 Supercam, 46 Orlan, and 7 Lancet loitering munitions, all in just 3-3.5 months since the project's inception in August.

These achievements represent only part of the overall impact, as other volunteer initiatives also supply anti-aircraft drones to Ukrainian forces. The combined efforts significantly surpass initial projections and make a considerable battlefield impact. Russian reconnaissance drones like Zala, Supercam, and Orlan are crucial for targeting operations, relaying coordinates for long-range weapons such as the Smerch MLRS or Iskander missile systems. Disrupting this capability severely undermines enemy operations.

Previously, countering such UAVs required unconventional methods, such as using Yak-52 planes with shotguns in hand. Now, FPV drones offer a scalable, cost-effective solution. However, their success depends not just on the equipment but also on operator skill and integration with detection systems, which are essential for identifying enemy UAVs.

The cost-effectiveness of this strategy is striking. For instance, an Orlan-10 drone costs approximately $106,000, making the price difference between the target and the weapon over 100-fold. This economic advantage has driven Russia to develop countermeasures, including electronic warfare systems, evasive maneuvers, and other defenses. The ongoing technological battle demands constant refinement of these innovative tools.