Ukraine Tests Hexacopter Bomber with Fiber-Optic Guidance

4 December, 2024 A spool of cable from a Ukrainian hexacopter bomber on fiber-optics. December 2024. Ukraine.

Footage from the E-Banshee video Ukrainian developers are preparing fiber-optic guidance hexacopter bombers for the Defense Forces. The drone was tested by experts from E-Banshee, which specializes in the development of heavy drones with high payloads.

"While our colleagues are developing means to shoot down an enemy drone, we are working to prevent the enemy from shooting us down," the experts said. The heavy hexacopter performed well during the tests. "We are very pleased with the result.

All 10 kilometers were successfully navigated through the forest," the developers said. During the tests, there was not a single break or loss of connection.

"However, there are still a few questions about the technology. But these are the next tests that will answer them," E-Banshee said. The developers have already ordered the next sets of fiber-optics.

Some of them will be sent to the military for combat tests. Currently, there are two ways to counter drones: their direct destruction or suppression with the help of electronic warfare (EW).

A spool of cable from a Ukrainian hexacopter bomber on fiber-optics. December 2024.

Ukraine. Footage from the E-Banshee video

However, drones that are controlled by fiber-optic cables are absolutely protected from the effects of electronic warfare. In addition, it cannot be detected by a UAV detector due to the absence of radio control signals and video transmission.

FPV drone and fiber-optic coils for drone control.

2024. PRC.

Photo: Chinese company Skywalker

In September, Ukrainian specialists obtained a new Russian FPV drone utilizing fiber-optic technology.

China's Skywalker also introduced FPV drones that are controlled by a tethered fiber-optic cable.