Fibre Optic Drones: The New Unjammable Threat in Modern Warfare

PWOnlyIAS

May 31, 2025

Fibre Optic Drones: The New Unjammable Threat in Modern Warfare

Fibre optic–controlled kamikaze drones have emerged as a new battlefield technology in the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict. 

Fibre Optic Drones

 

  • These unjammable First Person View (FPV) drones, guided via spooled fibre optic cables, are proving to be a tactical game changer in electronic warfare-dominated environments.

What are Fibre Optic Drones?

  • Type: Kamikaze (suicidal) FPV drones
  • Control System: Guided via fibre optic cables (10–20 km long), instead of radio signals
  • Advantage: Immune to electronic warfare jamming
  • Use Case: Low-altitude, precision strikes in GPS- or radio-jammed zones

Key Characteristics

Feature Details
Guidance Fibre optic cable (no radio link)
Range Up to 20 km
Stealth Difficult to detect; no electromagnetic signature
Precision Can fly centimetres from ground; can strike concealed targets indoors
Video Feed High-resolution real-time imagery till moment of strike
Cost ~ $800–1000 per unit (twice the cost of conventional FPV drones)

Strategic Military Role

  • First-Wave Assault Tool: Targets enemy EW systems to pave way for conventional drones
  • Unjammable Capability: Effective against heavily jammed zones like trenches or command centers
  • Psychological Impact: Limits medical evacuation and troop movement in frontline areas

Countermeasures

Method Description
Netting Set across roads/trees to entangle drone or cable
Cable Severing Techniques Ukraine working on systems to cut/burn cable mid-flight
Reverse Tracking Tracing cables to destroy operator sites (with limited success)

Fibre Optic Drones

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Quick Revise Now !
UDAAN PRELIMS WALLAH
Comprehensive coverage with a concise format
Integration of PYQ within the booklet
Designed as per recent trends of Prelims questions
हिंदी में भी उपलब्ध

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