Ukraine is testing unique ground-based combat drones with fiber-optic control - Business Insider
Ukraine is testing new combat ground drones that are controlled via a fiber-optic cable, which makes them resistant to Russian electronic warfare.
This is reported by Business Insider with reference to the organization Brave1, which coordinates the development of military technologies in Ukraine, Censor.NET reports .
"Fiber-optic cables can also serve as an alternative communication channel for controlling UGVs in situations where other types of connection are not available due to strong electronic interference," Brave1 said in a statement.
We are talking about ground-based remote-controlled robots - UGVs (Unmanned Ground Vehicles). Seven different models were tested in recent field trials in Ukraine. Several models have already attracted the attention of the military due to their ability to perform combat missions in the face of electronic countermeasures.
As noted, the main purpose of the new robots is to strike at the enemy, deliver explosives, or self-detonate near equipment. At the same time, fiber-optic drones are less effective for logistics missions due to the risk of cable entanglement.
Unlike traditional radio channels, fiber optic connections ensure stable transmission of video and commands even over long distances.
The UGVs can also evacuate the wounded, and some models are equipped with machine guns and thermal imagers for nighttime operations. The Ukrainian military has already used similar systems in combat, as have the Russians.
Brave1 noted that tactics for the combat use of new robots are currently being developed in cooperation with the military. In 2025, Ukraine plans to receive thousands of such drones.
"This could be the next technology to change the rules of war," a Ukrainian official told BI.
