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I fought in Ukraine and here's why FPV drones kind of suck

(warontherocks.com)
183 points _tk_ | 8 comments | 26 Jun 25 10:11 UTC | HN request time: 1.227s | source | bottom
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TheChaplain ◴[26 Jun 25 11:11 UTC] No.44386198[source]▶
The article talks about signal jammers, but as far as I know most drones there are remote controlled using fiber for exactly that reason?
replies(7): >>44386211 #>>44386216 #>>44386240 #>>44386280 #>>44386441 #>>44388010 #>>44388159 #
1. rich_sasha ◴[26 Jun 25 11:14 UTC] No.44386216[source]▶
There are... I think they aren't unproblematic - the fibre can get caught on things etc. Also I read of instances where the opposition can follow the fibre back to find the drone operators.
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2. FirmwareBurner ◴[26 Jun 25 11:16 UTC] No.44386227[source]▶
Sounds like for fiber optic strikes you gotta do a "shoot and scoot".
replies(1): >>44386353 #
3. orthoxerox ◴[26 Jun 25 11:31 UTC] No.44386353[source]▶
The operators usually use a cordless drill to wind back as much cable as they can after the drone is used.
replies(1): >>44386400 #
4. empiko ◴[26 Jun 25 11:38 UTC] No.44386395[source]▶
Tracing the fiber back is possible only in extremely favorable conditions. The light must hit the cable just right and there cannot be too many cables from previous runs on the battlefield.
replies(1): >>44387948 #
5. sorcerer-mar ◴[26 Jun 25 11:39 UTC] No.44386400{3}[source]▶
This is why it's so fascinating to read about this conflict. The back and forth innovations (some obvious, some rudimentary, some very much not) is just incredible to follow.

Early on: Drones in war!

Then: Ahh EW makes them useless!

Then: Fiber optics defeat EW!

Then: But you can follow the cable!

Then: But you can try to respool the cable with a power drill!

Every week it seems is a new move.

replies(1): >>44387000 #
6. throwawayffffas ◴[26 Jun 25 12:59 UTC] No.44387000{4}[source]▶
Next up: Autonomous targeting.

Next Next up: Decoys.

7. dizhn ◴[26 Jun 25 14:43 UTC] No.44387948[source]▶
It's not too bad when they see the drone passing by. I have no idea how often this can happen without being seen though.
replies(1): >>44387999 #
8. bluGill ◴[26 Jun 25 14:48 UTC] No.44387999{3}[source]▶
Those cables are 10km long. You can trade a couple hundred meters when the drone is flying by, but there are several KM that you cannot even see at the same time as you can see the drone.