russian state media recently announced the transfer of the first fiber-optic-controlled naval drone to the Black Sea Fleet, developed by the Ushkuynik research and production center. The platform is advertized as a versatile system capable of operating as a kamikaze drone, a carrier for FPV drones, and even a hunter of Ukrainian naval unmanned systems.
At first glance, the idea of using a fiber-optic tether for control appears attractive. Such a system could, in theory, extend the operational range significantly, as the drone can carry dozens of kilograms of cable. This would allow for stable, interference-resistant communication compared to radio or satellite links, which are vulnerable to electronic warfare.
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However, the practical application of this concept is far from flawless. The fiber-optic cable used on the drone reportedly has protective sheathing, making it considerably heavier than the bare fiber employed in FPV drones. While weight is less critical for maritime platforms, the total cable length the drone can realistically carry is limited.
Signal strength presents another challenge. For effective operations, naval drones would need to cover tens or even hundreds of kilometers. Without relays or signal boosters, the maximum cable length would unlikely exceed 100 kilometers, and even that estimate is optimistic. For context, the distance from temporarily occupied Kinburn Spit to Odesa is roughly 62 kilometers, placing serious constraints on such a system's operational scope.
Footage suggests the russian drone is relatively small, with limited payload capacity. While not sufficient to deliver large warheads, it could still carry several FPV drones to launch attacks against cities such as Mykolaiv, Odesa, or Kherson from temporarily occupied coastal areas. This indicates its primary role may be harassment rather than decisive strike missions.
The reliance on fiber-optic control highlights russia's deficiency in advanced satellite communication systems. By tethering their drones, russian developers aim to bypass Ukraine's strong electronic warfare capabilities, which have proven highly effective against drones guided by traditional radio channels.
Nonetheless, the emergence of such systems cannot be ignored. Even with limited range and payload, fiber-optic naval drones represent a technological adaptation that could be scaled up over time.
The inability to jam them via electronic warfare means Ukrainian defenses will need to develop new countermeasures to address this threat.
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