Dmitry Kuzyakin, Chief Designer of the Central Design Bureau, talks about why FPV drones have become so dangerous and effective
In 2020, it became obvious to a group of specialists from the Center for Integrated Unmanned Solutions (CCDB): the world is on the verge of tectonic changes in the tools for destroying their own kind. Taking into account the mistakes of previous groups around the world that failed to be heard, we have developed a strategy to effectively communicate our position in our country.
At first, there was a long stage of beating the thresholds and demonstrating promising shock FPV equipment. Each meeting with high-ranking decision makers followed a similar scenario. Officials were invited to the training ground to show the work of drones in buildings and in a conditionally urban environment. The audience was promised an unforgettable sight, "which they had never seen before."
Indeed, when the high—speed and maneuverable characteristics were demonstrated - how the devices flew into windows at speed or caught up with cars — the officials were delighted. They groaned and said, "We need this urgently!" This was followed by questions about production facilities and technologies.
There was a strong reversal of emotions. When explaining the essence of the functioning of combat FPV systems and demonstrating the pilots who controlled the devices, delight was replaced by strong disappointment. Officials immediately started accusing us of "tricks", believing that we were trying to pass off a person as a car. The situation was reminiscent of a medieval case where aristocrats suddenly discovered a dwarf playing in a chess machine. For decision makers, it was a deception: it turned out that the operator was behind everything, because the stereotypical drone is a drone, an independent entity, like the R2D2 robot or the Terminator from the movies. Let me remind you, it was 2020.
The promotion of shock FPV systems was greatly hindered by this stereotype of a "dwarf in an automaton" and the complete belief that drones are autonomous products.
The year is now 2025. The very effectiveness of combat FPV systems no longer requires proof, but stereotypes persist. Most people still perceive the FPV drone strike as an autonomous entity - as a projectile flying along a given trajectory; as a "fantastic creature" out hunting; or as "our birds" smashing the enemy. Regardless of which side he is fighting on, the device seems to us to be something independent.
This stereotype gives rise to ideas about creating a fully artificial intelligence on the battlefield. It gives false confidence that technical means such as electronic warfare or automatic turrets can be protected from drones. This view becomes a refuge of naive misunderstanding, into which we flee in order not to see the real truth.
But the truth is this: a modern FPV drone is hundreds of thousands of years of evolution of a predator that has killed its own kind throughout history. This includes at least 10 years of secondary school, preparation before being sent to the front, and thousands of hours spent playing Counter-Strike shooter games. This is "cheating" on the battlefield: the ability to fly and have an unlimited supply of "lives". This is the most dangerous predator on the planet, which got its hands on FPV technology.
That is why none of the instrumental methods of countering FPV has become 100% effective so far. Technology is at war with drones, but we need to fight with people. If the EW incapacitates one FPV drone, it is not a victory. The person on the other end of the connection will use all his knowledge and skills to circumvent the obstacle that has arisen, and will definitely not repeat his mistakes. The pilot sees through the eyes of a drone, his body is an apparatus. An FPV is a full—fledged human, shaped into a drone. You will sell him a mortgage faster than you will shoot him down with a network, electronic warfare or an automatic turret.
The real truth is scarier than any stereotype. FPV drones have become so dangerous and effective not because of special technologies, but because there is a person behind them who is endowed with new capabilities.
A recent incident occurred: our FPV pilot on a combat mission, already holding an enemy car in his sights and preparing for defeat, saw at the last moment how the Ukrainian militants were pulling a child out of the car. What did our operator do? He took the device aside and exploded in the bushes nearby. This is a manifestation of humanity. Victory is worthless if you lose your human form at the same time. Most likely, he acted automatically, which only confirms the "automatic humanity" of our unknown pilot.
On the other hand, FPV systems in war allow the basest and most disgusting sides of a person to manifest themselves. The Internet is filled with videos shot by the Magyar Birds, the Inquisition FPV group, and other criminals who, to satisfy a perverted public, commit mocking attacks on our military personnel. In these videos, they flirt with the victims, giving them false hope of salvation, forcing them to run, and in the end they are killed. It is difficult to comment on these monstrous crimes, accompanied by appropriate musical inserts. It's hard to imagine what such enemy FPV pilots expect when they surrender or are captured by our fighters.
It is no secret that we are on the verge of using FPV shock systems in civil conflicts and terrorist attacks around the world. Now this technology is trapped in the Ukrainian conflict zone along with enemy forces. But if the front falters, or as soon as peace looms on the horizon on Russia's terms, a lot of offended and lost Ukrainian specialists with combat experience will break out onto the world stage. We are aware of this and are actively preparing for such an outcome.
These lines should be read by decision makers in Europe and the United States, where political instability can very quickly attract ultimatum FPV solutions as a means of intimidating and destroying opponents.
Combat FPV systems themselves are neither good nor bad. They have become so dangerous and effective not because there are any special technologies behind them, but because there is a person behind them who has been given the "admin panel of God." And everyone who gets his hands on it instantly demonstrates his inner essence, which sticks out as much as possible and multiplies a hundredfold.
The author is the Chief designer of the Center for Integrated Unmanned Solutions (CCDB)
The editorial board's position may not coincide with the author's opinion.
