Ukraine’s offensive against Russian air bases on Sunday (1st) highlighted the protagonism of a simple and affordable technology: FPV (First Person View) drones. Equipment that costs less than $ 3,000 has been adapted for military purposes and used in, including Tu-95 bombers and A-50 surveillance planes.
How FPV drones work
FPV drones were initially developed for civil use, such as running filming or recreational activities. However, because they are compact, agile and difficult to detect by radar, they were incorporated by Ukrainian military to precision attacks.
These drones are operated by real-time remote control, allowing the pilot to maneuver them accurately to the target. Some models weigh up to 3 kg and may carry explosive warheads. Ukraine has developed specific variants such as “Baba Yaga”, capable of carrying up to 15 kg of explosives and equipped with thermal cameras for night actions.
Military Advantages
According to Ukrainian intelligence, 117 drones were used in the operation, which generated estimated loss of more than $ 7 billion. The choice of FPV was due to the low cost, ease of large -scale production and difficulty of interception.
Unlike conventional missiles, FPV drones do not require complex release infrastructure and can be used on infiltration tactics, such as the spider web, where drones were clandestinely transported inside trucks to Russian military bases to thousands of kilometers from the front.
(with Financial Times, AP and Reuters)
