Ukraine's new radar strategy targets Russian drone threat
A Ukrainian military unit has devised a method to counter Russian FPV drones controlled via deployable fibre optic cables. Here's what Madziar's Birds have developed.
The Ukrainian unit "Madziar's Birds," which specializes in drone warfare, seems to have found a solution for the dangerous drones controlled via deployable fibre optic cables. Both Russians and Ukrainians use them, and these, commonly known as Vandal drones, pose a significant threat to Ukrainians, even in well-protected Western machinery like the Marder 1A3 or the M1A1 Abrams tanks.
According to the portal The Warzone, the solution by Robert Brovdi, who goes by the codename "Madziar," involves mobile radars capable of detecting a drone from several kilometres away, giving targets time to prepare.
Drones in the Ukraine war — A new nightmare for every soldier
Drones have become a symbol of the Ukraine war, destroying numerous military resources using outdated weapons meant for disposal. Examples are PG-7VL grenades and PGN rifle grenades, which are inadequate for penetrating the frontal armour of modern tanks.
Currently, they are effective only when hitting weak spots such as the roof or sides, which is challenging under normal conditions. Drones allow for precision with relatively low risk to the drone-operating soldier.
With the use of radio signals, both sides mass-deployed jammers, leading to a frequency war between drone pilots and jammer operators. This resulted in periods of complete dominance by drone operators as well as times of total powerlessness during the war.
Additionally, the use of radio communications allowed the opposition to locate enemy drones based on their radio emissions or even intercept camera footage with gadgets available in online stores.
Fibre optic-controlled drones — physical destruction is the only solution
This led to the search for solutions providing resistance against jammers, effective over a range from a few dozen to a few hundred metres.
The solution comprised drones conducting attacks autonomously over several hundred metres using systems capable of artificial intelligence-algorithm-supported "machine vision" for tracking selected objects or a wired connection to the control station.
Due to the absence of sanctions, the first option is viable for Ukraine. However, such drones, which may include Google Coral developer boards, are expensive. Conversely, the second option is simpler, involving a method practiced for years in anti-tank guided missiles, namely the deployable fibre optic cable.
The downside of this solution is the limited range, largely depending on the size of the spool. Typically, the range is about 10 kilometres, but other designs reach up to 40 kilometres—something Madziar exhibited in one demonstration. It should be noted that the spool with the fibre optic cable takes space that could be used otherwise for a heavier warhead or larger battery.
A drone controlled this way cannot be jammed, and crucially, it is completely passive, rendering radio emission detectors useless. Moreover, such drones can fly low over the ground without fear of losing the signal, thus making it harder to locate the pilots' position. Therefore, fibre optic drones remain extremely dangerous, and currently, the sole defence against them is physical elimination.
Solving the problem — Network of radars, hunter drone squadrons, and anti-drone systems
Madziar developed a portable radar likely fine-tuned to operate in the Ku-band, as seen with contemporary anti-drone radars capable of detecting slow-moving objects over several kilometres. The only solution is to cover the front line with radars every 5 kilometres and synchronize their operators with drone pilots to respond to threats.
Madziar released footage showing a Russian drone being shot down by his own FPV drone. However, a hunter drone such as the Winchester might be more appropriate. It would also be beneficial to equip vehicles with programmable ammunition, normally 30 mm, to safeguard tanks during attacks, a priority for many NATO countries.
Ukrainians lack these capabilities and have to manage with current resources, though there are instances of drones being shot down by combat vehicles like the M2A2 Bradley. Alternatively, the last defence line is soldiers in trenches equipped, though less frequently, with weapons that include Smart Shooter's SMASH modules but more commonly with standard 12-gauge shotguns used in skeet shooting, among other things.
