Photo: Sergey Flesh/Telegram
Russian operators of reconnaissance unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) have started equipping their drones with rear-view cameras to counter Ukrainian FPV drones used for targeting enemy UAVs. According to Defence-UA, the enemy managed to move from the idea to its implementation in just a few weeks.
Rapid Deployment of Countermeasures
The installation of rear-view cameras is Russia’s response to the increasing threat from Ukrainian FPV drones, which function as mobile anti-air systems. The first known instance of such a modification was observed when Ukrainian Defense Forces downed a Russian UAV, likely a ZALA 421 model. Military expert Serhiy “Flash” Beskrestnov provided detailed information on the discovery.
The downed drone featured a miniature rear-view camera connected to a custom Russian-made device equipped with RHCP antennas. This setup allows the drone operator to monitor the airspace behind the UAV, enabling them to detect approaching FPV drones and potentially evade attacks.
Photo: Sergey Flesh/Telegram
Limited Maneuvering Capabilities
It’s important to note, however, that reconnaissance UAVs lack the agility of fighter jets or aerobatic aircraft. These drones cannot perform high-level aerobatic maneuvers, so one of the few options for evading an attack is increasing speed. This could drain the battery of an FPV drone faster, given their limited flight time.
Nonetheless, the overall effectiveness of this solution remains in question. While the rapid adoption of such technology is noteworthy, it is likely that Russian forces will continue to expand their countermeasures. One potential future development could be the installation of small electronic warfare (EW) systems on reconnaissance drones, designed to disrupt signals on common FPV drone frequencies.
Ukrainian Countermeasures Needed
The Ukrainian military will also need to develop new countermeasures, as Russia has begun deploying FPV drones to target Ukrainian reconnaissance UAVs. Although the first known attack by a Russian FPV drone was unsuccessful, this signals that Russian forces are likely to continue refining their approach. Ukraine’s Defense Forces must take these changes into account and adapt their strategies accordingly.
