Solutions to win: Ministry of Defense successfully tests new Ukrainian-made FPV drones
Photo: Ministry of Defense
The Ministry of Defense carried out evaluations on Ukrainian unmanned aerial systems. The tests included drones from six manufacturers, mainly FPV drones created and produced by private companies.
The press service of the Ministry of Defense reported this.
What is the problem?
The Ministry of Defense regularly conducts tests for new models of UAVs. Hundreds of enterprises are already working on creating modern Ukrainian drones, as this type of weapon is highly sought after in the army. Ukrainian Defense Forces soldiers utilize FPV drones to target and destroy various military equipment and personnel from the Russian occupation army.
These tests aim to check the operation of drones under the influence of the radiation of the radio-electronic warfare (EW) complex. The resistance of the UAV to the suppression of the video signal and the control channel of the drone was tested separately.
What is the solution?
For most manufacturers, this test became an excellent opportunity to see the vulnerable places of their developments and, in the future, to focus specifically on improving the presented projects regarding anti-EW. One of the manufacturers demonstrated its serial development of a kamikaze drone. This sample showed the stability of the video communication channels and the drone's control in the confrontation with the EW complex.
How does it work?
According to the company's representative, this model has already proven itself well in combat conditions and has relatively stable indicators in confrontations with the enemy's electronic warfare equipment.
In case of successful further tests and admission to operation of this UAV, the company is ready to scale up its production.
"The project started about a year ago, but now we have reached a level that can be shown. This drone can perform combat missions at a distance of up to ten kilometers. The technologies that were used to develop this model are not innovative or unique; it is a pre-assembled hodgepodge of our knowledge, a successful combination of experience of previous products," said the manufacturing company representative.
For reference:
In March 2023, the Minister of Digital Transformation, Mykhailo Fedorov, announced that the Ukrainian army is actively transforming and gaining unique experience in the most technological war in history.
"Previously, together with the General Staff, the creation of the world's first UAV strike companies was announced with a completely new approach to management, training, and doctrine of the use of drones. Today, the first three UAV strike companies are ready for combat," he noted.
In October, the Minister of Strategic Industries, Oleksandr Kamyshyn, stated at a briefing at the NATO Industrial Forum in Stockholm that by the end of 2023, Ukraine will reach production rates of tens of thousands of drones of all types per month.
"By the end of the year, it will be tens of thousands per month. And we are increasing this even faster than conventional ammunition and combat weapons," the minister added.
The Ukrainian market for the production of drones is actively developing; more than 100 companies manufacture drones in the country.
Today, the Ukrainian army already has dozens of drones of domestic production. We are talking not only about unmanned aerial vehicles but also about surface drones.
Ukraine has also established serial production of the domestic analog of Shahed drones.
Additionally, Rubryka announced that the speed of drone transfers from suppliers to units of Ukraine's armed forces has reached a record high. This can be completed in a few days thanks to significantly reducing bureaucratic processes.
