Russia is reportedly ramping up production of Prince Vandal Novgorodsky (KVN) fiber-optic cable-controlled FPV (first-person view) suicide attack drones. Multiple drone assembly plants have been established across Europe.
Each facility will assemble a different variation of the drone, honed for a specific combat mission, sourcing parts from regional manufacturers that are uniquely relevant to that mission.
The Vandal drone was developed by the Ushkuynik Center in Novgorod. This represents a significant technological advancement in drone warfare.
Unlike traditional drones that rely on radio frequency communications, Vandal utilizes fiber optic control cables.
This wired connection makes the communication link virtually immune to electronic jamming and interference. The drone’s digital flight control electronics are also jam-proof.
As a result, Vandal is able to operate reliably in environments steeped in electronic countermeasures.
Recent battlefield video shows the destroyer flying close to a Ukrainian military pickup truck equipped with an electronic warfare system and colliding with a German-supplied Leopard main battle tank in front of it.
Other important benefits of using fiber optic cables include high bandwidth, low latency communications, stealth operations, and the ability to fly at very low altitudes.
Fiber optic cables provide a high-bandwidth link between the operator and the drone, facilitating real-time, uncompressed visual feedback. This improves the operator’s situational awareness and target setting accuracy.
Vandal communicates using fiber optic cables and therefore does not emit radio frequency energy. Also, the sound of the electric motor is almost inaudible, even from a relatively close distance. The lack of radio frequency emissions, combined with the quiet operation of the electric motor, reduces the drone’s detectability by enemy surveillance and defense systems.
The stealth properties of drones make it easier to penetrate enemy defenses and reach high-value targets without early detection.
🇺🇦🇷🇺Kursk Front
Operators of the 810th Brigade successfully operated the Ukrainian M2 “Bradley” IFV and delivered a decisive blow with the fiber-optic FPV drone “Prince Vandal”. pic.twitter.com/ZltsoeJdTi
— King Chelsea UG 🇺🇬🇷🇺 (@ug_chelsea) December 20, 2024
Drones with radio frequency control must rise higher as they move away from the control station to maintain line of sight. Destroyers don’t have to do that.
In recent battlefield videos, destroyers are often seen loitering 2 to 10 meters above the terrain, observing enemy activity. In fact, the Russian military is known to use drones as covert observation posts in enemy areas.
Reconnaissance missions allow you to park your drone in advantageous locations on the terrain to observe enemy activity. If detected, or if the battery is about to run out, the drone can just fly away.
operational ability
This drone is equipped with a thermal imager and camera, which together make it easier to operate during day or night and in poor visibility. It can carry a 3.5 kg payload to a range of 6 to 10 km.
Vandal is designed to destroy enemy unarmored military equipment and armored personnel carriers, command posts, air and missile defense facilities, electronic reconnaissance and electronic warfare, logistics support facilities.
Russia first deployed drones in Kursk on August 13, 2024, shortly after Ukrainian military offensives began in the region.
Prior to Vandal, control with fiber optic cables had not been attempted because it was thought that cables would get caught in terrain, foliage, and structures. But those concerns turned out to be overblown. Fiber optic cables are fragile, but they don’t get dirty or break easily. It will break easily just by bending it.
According to Ushkuinik’s general manager Alexei Chadaev, statistics show that optical fiber breaks do not exceed 1-2 cases per 10 launches.
Limitations of fiber-optic controlled drones
Manufacturing fiber-optic controlled drones is difficult. Their payload is limited and their range is limited to very short distances.
As previously mentioned, fiber optic cables are inherently more fragile than electrical wires. It must be managed to withstand the physical stresses of flight, including vibration, bending, and potential shock.
The length of the fiber optic cable directly affects the range of the drone. Adding fiber optic cable length increases weight. Keeping systems lightweight is difficult.
Vandal is equipped with a spool of fiber-optic cable that unfolds as the drone moves away from the operator. The spool adds significant weight, which negatively impacts the drone’s payload capacity and range. Increasing the length of the cable to increase the range of the drone increases the weight of the drone. The additional weight and spool size negatively impacts flight dynamics and increases battery drain.
Using long cables introduces other complications. As the distance increases, the optical signal in the optical fiber can become weaker, which can reduce the efficiency of control signals and data transmission.
Despite their versatility and effectiveness, the use of fiber-optic controlled FPV drones is likely to be limited to areas very close to contract lines.
Ukrainian fiber optic controlled drone
Although Ukraine has begun deploying fiber-optic controlled FPV drones, Russia is far ahead of Ukraine in terms of Vandal’s operational maturity and the number of drones available to its military after about six months of operations. is being carried out.
conclusion
The Vandal has proven to be very effective not only as a reconnaissance drone but also as a suicide attack drone. The use of drones by the Russian military has so far been limited, mainly confined to the Kursk region. The number of drones available and the number of personnel trained to operate them may be limiting factors.
Using fiber optic cables instead of radio frequency transmission significantly increases the price of the drone.
Increased production of the Vandal would not only make it more widely used by the Russian military, but also reduce costs.
Vijayinder K Thakur is a former IAF Jaguar pilot, author, software architect, entrepreneur and military analyst. View author’s personal information Follow author @vkthakur
