On the battlefields of Ukraine, kamikaze drones have become a constant threat.
These improvised devices, known as FPV (First Person View) drones, serve as a substitute for more expensive, military-grade solutions such as anti-tank missiles or guided artillery.
Video Feed is Biggest Flaw
While effective, they are not without their weaknesses. Both Ukrainian and Russian forces are continuously testing different signal frequencies, trying to gain control of the airspace.
These drones, though powerful, are susceptible to electronic warfare, which can affect their reliability in the heat of battle, according to WP.
One of the biggest vulnerabilities for these drones is their video feed. Since many of the drones used are improvised or commercially available, their video transmissions are often unencrypted.
Early Warning Saves Lives
This allows both sides to intercept the feed using simple, inexpensive receivers available online. These receivers, which can be purchased for a few hundred dollars, allow soldiers to view live footage from enemy drones, giving them valuable seconds to hide or take defensive action.
In one instance, a Ukrainian soldier described how he gifted one of these devices to his comrades. While driving in a frontline region, they saw their own vehicle appear on the screen, indicating they were being targeted by a Russian FPV drone.
Thanks to the early warning, they were able to jump out of the car moments before it was hit.
As drones become more widespread in this conflict, so does the need for protection against them. Military-grade drone detectors, resembling slightly larger walkie-talkies, can detect any object emitting a radio signal from one to two kilometers (0.6 to 1.2 miles) away.
This gives soldiers a chance to either hide or prepare for combat, with some carrying rifles equipped with SMASH modules to target the drones directly.
