Ukrainian specialists capture new Russian fiber-optic controlled Vandal FPV drone.

As reported by Serhiy Flash on September 26, 2024, Ukrainian forces captured a Russian fiber-optic-controlled FPV drone, referred to by the Russian military as the "Vandal" or "Prince Vandal of Novgorod." This drone, designed for improved signal stability and high-resolution imaging, reportedly flew 9 kilometers before being seized by Ukrainian specialists amidst ongoing military engagements in eastern Ukraine.
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This Vandal drone, designed for improved signal stability and high-resolution imaging, reportedly flew 9 kilometers before being seized by Ukrainian specialists amidst ongoing military engagements in eastern Ukraine. (Picture source: Telegram/Serhiy Flash)

Serhiy Flash shared images of the captured drone, emphasizing its fiber-optic control system, which uses a physical cable for signal transmission instead of radio frequencies. While wired control systems are relatively uncommon for UAVs, they have long been used in anti-tank guided missiles, such as the Israeli Spike ER2. This wired system makes the drone less susceptible to standard electronic warfare countermeasures, enabling the operator to guide it without radio signals that could otherwise be intercepted or jammed.

The Vandal’s operator station is also reported to be free of conventional antenna-based equipment, meaning it does not emit signals that could expose its location. According to Russian military sources, these features make the Vandal more difficult for Ukrainian forces to detect, as they rely on electronic detection systems for UAV tracking.

Russian weapons expert Yevgeny Damantsev commented on the fiber-optic control system, referred to as "Groz - Leska," stating that it enables the drone to function without interference from Ukrainian jamming systems. Some Russian sources indicate that the fiber-optic system also allows for the transmission of high-quality video data, with reports of consistent frame rates of 50 frames per second, enabling operators to identify targets with enhanced visual clarity and a stable control signal.

This wired system makes the drone less susceptible to standard electronic warfare countermeasures, but without a wireless backup system, the drone would become inoperable if the cable is cut or severed. (Picture source: Telegram/Serhiy Flash)

According to Russian media, units in the Russian "North" army group have used Vandal drones, produced by NPC Ushkuy in Novgorod, to target Ukrainian armored vehicles, including IFVs and APCs, during operations near the Kursk region. Other Russian sources, including the publication AIF and the Telegram channel "Russian Weapons," reported that upgraded versions of the Vandal drone, equipped with cables extending up to 20 kilometers, are currently undergoing tests to expand their operational range while minimizing their vulnerability to jamming and detection systems.

However, the physical cable used for control limits the drone’s maneuverability and adds weight. For example, on similar FPV drones from China, a spool of 10 kilometers of fiber-optic cable weighs approximately 2.3 kilograms, while a five-kilometer spool weighs around 1.1 kilograms. The added weight affects the drone’s flight dynamics, and physical obstacles like buildings, trees, and other structures can pose challenges by potentially obstructing or damaging the cable. Without a wireless backup system, the drone would become inoperable if the cable is cut or severed. The cable’s rigidity restricts the drone's ability to navigate in confined areas or around obstacles, limiting its path compared to radio-controlled UAVs, which can fly at lower altitudes with greater flexibility.

There has also been debate regarding the origins of the Vandal. Serhiy Beskrestnov, another Ukrainian specialist, suggests that the Vandal might not be a Russian creation but rather an adaptation of a Chinese-made Skywalker drone. Beskrestnov claims that Russia may have imported these drones for about $2,000 each, later deploying them for military use at a reported cost of $17,000 per unit. He further suggests that rebranding this drone as a Russian product may obscure its foreign origins, though these statements remain uncorroborated by additional sources.

Some Russian sources indicate that the fiber-optic system also allows for the transmission of high-quality video data, with reports of consistent frame rates of 50 frames per second. (Picture source: Telegram/Serhiy Flash)