The Ukrainian military is testing new drones using fiber optics on the front line against Russian forces.
The low-flying drones are tied to the ground via thin fiber-optic cables that unwind as the drone flies farther from the controller.
Unlike radio-controlled drones, fiber-optic drones cannot be jammed by opposing forces using "electronic warfare."
The cable transmits a high-quality image back to the ground, right up to the moment of detonation.
"These drones can fly up to 60 kilometers per hour, perform maneuvers, and within a range of 10 kilometers, the fiber does not break," says Serhiy Beskrestnov of the Ukrainian military.
Fiber-optic drones can carry small payloads and fly low between buildings or through forests without losing signal, which means areas previously safe from drone attacks can now be hit.
"Our guys used to travel along forest roads safely, because the forest blocks radio signals," says Beskrestnov.
"It [was] very difficult for the enemy [drone] to descend into the middle of the forest somewhere deep inside our territory, because the radio signal disappears."
But drones controlled by fiber optics have their own problems.
The lines can become tangled or catch on objects, while the unwinding mechanism adds weight and reduces the loads the drones can carry.
"The first tests of our drones were not very good because there were problems with the coils of optical fiber. But the latest tests showed that there are [usable] options from at least six manufacturers," says Beskrestnov.
Russia was ahead of Ukraine in deploying fiber-optic first-person-view (FPV) drones on the battlefield, primarily in the Kursk region of Russia.
The Ukrainian military launched a surprise incursion there in the summer of 2024.
"According to reports from Chinese manufacturers, the number of orders from Russia is growing every month," says Beskrestnov. "They're producing more drones, and our video records confirm that they are being used increasingly on all fronts."
