The rapid evolution of UAS has completely changed the security environment. In particular, for many years, the traditional approach to the protection of national defence relied on electronic warfare (EW) aimed at breaking the link between an aircraft and its pilot. However, nowadays, there are new suicide drones that make jamming ineffective.
As far as utilising wireless radio signals is replaced with a physical spool of wires, the danger emerges that is immune to the standard electronic means of protection. Understanding how these mechanisms function is the primary step towards protecting yourself from potential vulnerabilities in the airspace.
At UAV Defence, we constantly analyse emerging aerial threats and develop appropriate ways to deal with them. This manual explains in detail how these systems work and what countermeasures should be taken.
What are Fiber-Optic FPV Drones?
An optical fibre FPV drone is an upgraded UAV that uses a fibre-optic cable as a means of transmitting the control signals and live videos rather than radio frequencies. As light transmission in this case relies on a solid-state medium, such drones are immune to electronic warfare and jamming of signals.
The standard FPV setup is one where there is an aerial connection between the drone and the pilot’s headset and remote via wireless links. In most cases, this wireless connection takes place in either the 900 MHz, 2.4 GHz, or 5.8 GHz frequency range. There are also fibre-optic types of FPV systems that use a wired link in place of the wireless one.
How Fiber-Optic Communication Works in Drones
To understand the process, it is important to know how the wire is used while in the air. It will be impossible for the drone flying fast to carry long wires, which can get entangled or break due to their weight.
A specialised spool mechanism carrying the fibre-optic cable is attached to the drone. The wire unravels in front of the drone as the aircraft flies and forms a continuous string of wire. The spool releases just enough of the wire to allow the aircraft to move forward without putting any pressure on the wire.
The wire is extremely thin, similar to fishing wire or thick string, but it contains glass wires capable of handling a lot of information. It allows the operator to view videos without any delay or loss of quality. The operator remains motionless, holding a joystick which is linked to the initial point of the cable.
Why RF Jammers Fail Against Them
Jamming devices will not be able to work on a drone using fibre optics since it does not use wireless signals to communicate and control its flights, nor does it send video signals. This device jams by creating noise at a selected frequency, while the drone, using fibre optics, uses light pulses within a glass cable to communicate.
Drone jammers have a vital function in the context of an overall security strategy. They are effective against commercial drones, GPS-enabled missiles, and ordinary FPVs because they disrupt their data link. However, a tether using fibre optics forms a closed loop.
It is impossible to jam a wire with radio frequency signals. Furthermore, because the drone does not use GPS for navigation (rather using the view of the pilot from the camera), the GPS spoofing method becomes equally ineffective.
Operational Advantages of Wired Drones
Knowing why the opponent has chosen this technology will give us an insight into how they will behave, and the advantages the operator will have are many.
- EW Immunity: They perform perfectly regardless of being in an environment which is awash with electromagnetic countermeasures.
- RF Signature of Zero: The operator does not produce any radio waves, making it impossible for our RF scanners to pin down the position of the pilot.
- Perfect Image Quality: Wireless communication is degraded by distance and by anything obstructing the line of sight; however, fibre optics gives perfect images up until the point of impact.
- Freedom to Fly Low: Wireless drones have difficulty flying low due to the Earth’s curvature and any line-of-sight obstructions that might exist; meanwhile, wire-connected drones are able to fly inches off the forest floor.
- Zero Alarm Warnings: Since there is no transmission for our RF scanner to detect, there is frequently no warning at all issued to the targeted facility.
Operational Limitations
| Limitation | Impact on Drone Operation |
| Fixed Range Limit | The drone cannot fly further than the length of its physical spool (typically 5 to 10 kilometres). |
| Snagging Hazards | While the wire is strong, it can become tangled in dense urban environments, sharp building corners, or thick tree canopies. |
| Payload Weight | A 10km spool of fibre-optic cable adds considerable weight, reducing the size of the explosive or surveillance payload the drone can carry. |
| Single-Use Design | Because it is nearly impossible to rewind the unspooled cable cleanly in a tactical environment, these drones are almost exclusively used as one-way loitering munitions. |
| Lack of Autonomy | They rely entirely on human input. If the wire snaps, the drone usually crashes immediately as it lacks GPS return-to-home protocols. |
While there are numerous benefits associated with fibre optic drones, these devices have their own physical drawbacks. It is crucial to know these weaknesses in order to develop proper protective measures.
How to Detect Fiber-Optic Drones
For the protection of airspace against any non-emitting threat, attention should be paid towards the detection of the object itself. At UAV Defence, we advocate for the use of drone detection systems, which comprise several types of sensors.
Radar Detection
In today’s world, counter-UAS radars work in the X-band or Ku-band frequency range and can detect very small objects. As compared to air traffic control radars, which scan large metallic aircraft, our Counter-UAS Radars detect the radar cross section (RCS) of small plastics and carbon fibre and also micro Doppler effects caused by rotating blades.
Acoustic Sensors
Any way a drone uses to send information through the air, its rotating rotors force air and produce sounds. Using acoustic sensors, good microphones, together with edge-AI technology, allows for comparing the noise in the environment with the database of drones’ acoustic signatures. This method works well for detecting drones flying at low altitudes, as radar detection can be disrupted by obstacles like buildings and trees.
Electro-Optical/Infrared (EO/IR)
Thermal imaging cameras are sensitive to the heat generated from the motors and batteries of a drone. With the help of AI software, they can automatically rotate, tilt, and zoom in on a threatening object. EO/IR devices determine if a target spotted by radar is a bird or a kamikaze drone.
Effective Fibre Optic Drone Countermeasures
We cannot affect their control signals in any way; thus, the only method of defence is physical destruction of drones in the air. It means that the “soft kill” EW approach should be replaced by “hard kill” interception.
Among those methods that can be implemented are:
Kinetic Interceptor Drone
A very effective way to prevent an FPV drone from flying is by deploying another drone. These drones are used automatically to attack the target drone and crash into it. Other types of drones deploy nets which wrap around the rotor blades of the attacking drone and force it to land.
Automated Fire Control Systems
In military operations, radar-guided kinetic weapons are indispensable. These weapons utilise the data gathered by C-UAS sensors in order to launch airburst weapons. These weapons detonate in the trajectory of the drone and fragment it into bits and pieces.
Directed Energy Weapons (Lasers)
The use of high-power lasers is an accurate way of dealing with drones. Through the concentration of thermal energy on the body and motors of the drone, the laser disintegrates the body of the drone, leading to its crash. The cost per shot of lasers is economical, but it requires clear skies and electricity.
Physical Netting and Barrier Defences
For high-value, stationary targets, the implementation of actual Kevlar barriers or reinforced nets will provide the ultimate form of protection for critical infrastructure. In the event that the drone attempts to crash into a particular transformer or control centre, it will detonate uselessly against the barrier.
Building a Layered Defence Strategy
The multi-layered defence mechanism against UAS combines various security technologies, which complement each other in case one of them fails. Considering the fact that the enemy uses a mixed swarm of wirelessly controlled and fibre-optically controlled unmanned aircraft simultaneously, it is imperative for the facility to use RF detection, radar, acoustic detectors, jammers, and interception in one centralised control unit.
Security is not done by a single apparatus. If an entity uses RF scanning alone, then a wired drone can simply enter without being detected. Also, if a company removes its jamming apparatus, then it will be highly susceptible to RF drones.
In this regard, we recommend using one C2 software for all the sensors. Once there is any anomaly is detected by the radar, the thermal camera will check the target. Once the software identifies that the target is an RF-controlled drone, the jamming mechanism will start working. In case the software identifies the drone as fibre optic, then the jammer system will be bypassed, and kinetic mechanisms will work instantly.
Portable drone detection systems using acoustic and optical input become necessary in the case of mobile units in contested zones where radar cannot be used.
The Future of Counter-UAS Technology
The future evolution of counter-UAS technology will depend to a great extent on artificial intelligence, sensor fusion, and autonomous kinetic destruction. With the continuing advancements of adversaries in electronic warfare, the race for the development of interceptors and directed energy technologies with extreme mobility is intensifying.
We anticipate an increase in optical tracking solutions employing artificial intelligence. With acoustic arrays becoming smaller and less expensive, there will be a proliferation of mesh networks around the perimeter, which will detect the sound of rotor blades long before the drone breaches the fence line.
Moreover, the industry is exploring techniques whereby the trailing wire can be cut by interceptors equipped with cutting devices. Once cut, the drone will immediately be rendered inoperable. In light of the foregoing dangers, constant vigilance and investment in modernising legacy security systems are required.
Ending Remarks
The introduction of the fibre-optic FPV drone has ushered in a major change in the threat environment of modern times. The reason for this is that the fibre-optic FPV drone operates out of the electromagnetic spectrum, which means that RF jamming may not be enough.
Security operations need to develop further to protect individuals, assets, and critical infrastructure. The use of high-resolution radars, acoustics, electro-optical infrared, and kinetic interception is tactically required at this stage. A multilayered approach to protection guarantees that there are no weak links for the enemy to take advantage of.
Working with the issues involved with multi-sensor fusion and kinetic neutralisation requires professional assistance. If you rely extensively on older RF jamming technologies, then it is time that you evaluate your weak spots. Please contact us today regarding integrating fibre optic anti-drone technology solutions into your existing defences.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a fibre optic FPV drone?
An FPV drone utilising fibre-optics is an unmanned aircraft that receives its control instructions and transmits video data using a reel of optical fibre as opposed to radio waves. The use of this physical connection makes the drone impervious to any form of electronic warfare or jamming.
Why can’t RF jammers stop fibre optic drones?
The RF jammer will cause interference to wireless frequencies like the 2.4 GHz or 5.8 GHz bands, disrupting the connection between the pilot and the drone. Fibre optic drones use light transmitted by a physical cable that is shielded from outside interference and hence not affected by any radio frequency noise.
How are fibre optic drones detected?
As there is no radio signal emitted by these drones, it is imperative to detect these drones through their physical appearance. Through high-resolution counter-unmanned aerial systems radar, one can identify their movement, while acoustic sensors listen to the noise of their rotors.
Can radar detect fibre-optic drones?
Yes, indeed, the X and Ku band radars are able to detect the drones. The radars estimate the radar cross section of the drone and use the micro Doppler signature to detect the spinning rotors, thus differentiating it from a bird.
What is the best countermeasure?
Some of the best ways to fight fibre optic drones include the use of kinetic or direct energy methods. These may take the form of intercepting the drone with other drones, using bursting munitions, incinerating the drone with lasers, or capturing it in nets.
How does a layered C-UAS system work?
A layered approach involves combining all kinds of sensors (radio-frequency scanners, radar, acoustics, and optical) in one software control panel. This guarantees that even if the drone successfully gets past one line of protection, say, a jamming device, there will still be another weapon ready to disable it.
What industries face this threat?
Military installations, oil and gas installations, power plants, airports, and prisons are all vulnerable targets. The security for any area which is responsible for managing such valuable and fixed assets should have protection from drones.