Fiber-optic drones have significant practical performance and technical feasibility in specific scenarios.

Practical Performance

Strong Anti-interference Capability

• Traditional drones, relying on radio frequency for control, are prone to electromagnetic interference, which can cause them to malfunction and lose combat effectiveness. Fiber-optic drones transmit control signals and video data between the drone and the operator via optical fibers, effectively avoiding radio frequency interference or GPS countermeasures. This enables them to carry out precise strikes on targets even in environments with enemy electronic interference.
• The physical isolation characteristic of fiber-optic communication eliminates the risk of signal leakage, granting the drones excellent stealth capabilities. They can approach targets undetected by the enemy, achieving the element of surprise in combat operations.

Stable Signal Transmission and Clear Images

• As a secure, high-bandwidth connection, optical fibers can maintain stable signal transmission in complex and ever-changing battlefield environments. This allows operators to precisely control the drone's flight path and accurately destroy enemy targets.
• Drones controlled by fiber-optic guidance offer high-quality image transmission. Operators can use VR goggles and controllers to precisely lock onto and strike targets.

Tactical Maneuverability and Low Cost

• Fiber-optic guided FPV (First Person View) drones are simpler to operate and highly tactically maneuverable. They can even track enemy tanks and armored vehicles, fly into buildings, locate targets, and initiate explosions.
• Some fiber-optic guided suicide drones are inexpensive and lightweight. Moreover, there are readily available fiber-optic network control protocols in the civilian market that can be used to control these drones.

Capability for Long-range Strikes

• Some optical fibers can even directly supply power to the drone, meaning it doesn't have to worry about onboard battery capacity and can fly farther.

Technical Feasibility

Mature Technical Principles

• Fiber-optic guidance and control technology is not a novel concept. Its principles are similar to those of wire-guided torpedo technology and already have a relatively mature technical foundation. By applying this technology to drones, a physical connection between the drone and the operator is achieved, solving the problem of traditional drones being susceptible to interference.

Practical Application Cases

• During the Russia-Ukraine conflict, the Russian military was the first to deploy fiber-optic drones in actual combat and achieved battlefield successes. Most of these drones were FPV drones, with the significant change being the addition of an optical fiber trailing behind them during flight to replace radio control.
• The Ukrainian military has also equipped itself with a large number of domestically produced fiber-optic drones to reduce reliance on foreign sources and catch up with Russia's technological and numerical lead in this field.

Continuous Technological Improvements

• In response to the issues faced by fiber-optic drones, such as the weight of the optical fibers, limitations in the fiber release mechanism, and constraints on flight time and endurance, relevant enterprises and research institutions are continuously making technological improvements. For example, they are developing lighter and more durable optical fiber materials, optimizing the fiber release mechanism, and enhancing the drone's flight performance and endurance.

Limitations

Weight of Optical Fibers

• Taking an optical fiber with a diameter of 0.5 millimeters as an example, when paired with a carbon fiber and aluminum alloy housing, its combined weight may exceed 2 kilograms. This significantly impacts the drone's payload capacity and flight distance, reducing its flight performance.

Limitations of the Fiber Release Mechanism

• During flight, if the drone's loiter time is too long, it is highly susceptible to the influence of battlefield environmental factors, which may even lead to fiber breakage. This poses obstacles to its ability to perform long-term missions in complex environments.

Limitations in Flight Time and Endurance

• The flight distance of fiber-optic drones is limited to within 20 kilometers, which is far shorter than that of some advanced radio-controlled drones capable of reaching 200 kilometers. Additionally, fiber-optic drones still have certain limitations in terms of flight time and endurance, requiring further improvement and optimization. Currently, they cannot fully meet the demands of long-duration combat missions.

Susceptibility to Detection and Damage of Optical Fibers

• Optical fibers can reflect visible light under specific lighting conditions. In actual combat, there have been cases where one side used sunlight to detect the optical fiber trailing behind a drone and thereby located the operator on the other side.
• The towing distance of optical fibers is limited. As the length increases, the probability of accidents also rises. In complex terrains such as forests, mountainous areas, and areas with dense high-rise buildings, the optical fiber is likely to be snagged or tangled.
• Fiber-optic drones generate significant noise. As the optical fiber lengthens and its own weight increases, the volume and weight of the fiber spool used to store it also increase. This affects the drone's flight performance, and the noise generated by its propeller blades and engine becomes louder, making it easier for the enemy to detect through acoustic means.