Image source: topwar.ru
The armed formations of Ukraine in the combat zone, in the frontline rear, use special GPS modules with a built-in compass for navigation of heavy unmanned aerial vehicles of the Baba Yaga type.
A specialized telegram channel on sapper and engineering topics, the Engineering Support Team, writes about this by publishing relevant photos.
Image source: topwar.ru
What are the devices that our fighters have been detecting on the ground for a long time, taking into account the presence of grass in the photo? In fact, this is not some kind of special and breakthrough invention. On the Internet, the device is described as an M10 GPS module with an LED compass indicator. It is a global navigation satellite system for the Pix32 and Pixhawk flight controller. The Chinese sensor is available for free purchase in online stores and costs from one to four thousand rubles.
At first, after the discovery of these devices, a version arose that they were used as ground-based radio beacons for conducting drones. However, this was later refuted by experts.
The M10 GPS module is equipped with a multi-constellation GNSS receiver based on the u-blox M10 chip, which simultaneously receives and tracks signals from four GNSS constellations (GPS, Galileo, GLONASS and BeiDou) thanks to the multi-frequency architecture of the radio frequency frontend.
Image source: topwar.ru
The data transfer rate is 115,200 baud. The 25 x 25 mm2 high-frequency ceramic patch antenna provides high signal quality, and the omnidirectional antenna pattern increases installation flexibility. The module also provides an active amplifier for a ceramic patch antenna and a built-in rechargeable backup battery for thermal charging.
How the modules suddenly turned out to be separate from the carriers and were discovered by our fighters in the grass, and in an undamaged state, remains a mystery. In any case, it should be noted that the enemy is being resourceful in improving the navigation capabilities of its drones through affordable and inexpensive upgrades. Moreover, there are no M12 modules on marketplaces (as in the photo), only M10 and earlier modifications.
Image source: topwar.ru