Ukrainian forces are turning to commercially available FPV (First-Person View) drones as a substitute.
Carry Anti-Tank Grenades
However, the high loss rate of these drones — reaching thousands per day — has driven the search for reusable solutions. Recent developments highlight one such innovative approach, according to WP.
FPV drones have proven effective in areas where Russian electronic warfare systems are not in place or where Ukrainian drones are resistant to jamming.
Yet, each mission involving these drones is typically a one-time use, leading to substantial losses. Complaints from both Russia and Ukraine indicate that China's restrictions are complicating the acquisition of drone parts, making efficient use of existing drones increasingly critical.
One proposed solution is to modify FPV drones to carry and launch anti-tank grenades, such as the RPG-22.
An Outdated Weapon
This 1980s Soviet-era grenade launcher, weighing 2.8 kg, has been adapted for use on FPV drones. The RPG-22, capable of penetrating up to 400 mm of armor and effective up to 200 meters, represents an older but still potentially effective weapon.
The advantage of integrating the RPG-22 with FPV drones lies in the potential for reuse. Unlike one-time use grenades, these drones can be equipped to return to the operator or a designated location for reloading and subsequent attacks.
Although the RPG-22 is an outdated weapon with significant drawbacks, including a 20-meter death zone behind the shooter, its adaptation to drones offers a new tactical opportunity.
While targeting with such a setup presents challenges—being more complex than a direct impact with a drone—it could prove effective under the right conditions.
