Ukrainian workshops are currently producing more than 100,000 explosive first-person-view drones every month for the Ukrainian military. These drones, which typically carry a single grenade weighing just a pound or so, present a significant threat to exposed infantry but may not be as effective against armored vehicles due to their low explosive potential. However, recent reports suggest that Ukrainian drone crews have found a way to significantly boost the firepower of these drones.
One specific incident involving a Russian T-80 tank in eastern Ukraine has raised questions about the increased explosive potential of Ukrainian FPV drones. An FPV drone managed to cause a massive fireball, completely destroying the tank and incinerating its crew. This has led to speculation that Ukrainian FPV builders may have incorporated technology from the Swedish RBS-56 anti-tank missile, which is known for its top-down attack method that targets the thin armor on a tank’s topside.
Former quality auditor Trent Telenko believes that Ukrainian FPV builders may have borrowed the downward-blasting warhead technology from the RBS-56 to enhance the lethality of their drones. This technology, which causes the warhead to explode downward instead of forward, is likely to have a devastating impact on armored vehicles like the T-80 tank. Ukrainian troops have received Next-Generation Light Anti-Tank Weapon missiles from their foreign allies, which have similar downward-blasting warheads and could potentially be used to arm FPV drones for increased firepower.
There are reports of Ukrainian troops removing warheads from damaged NLAW launchers to potentially use them in FPV drones, indicating that Ukrainian industry is capable of producing their own downward-blasting munitions for drone use. It is suggested that Ukrainian drone teams may have access to multiple types of top-down munitions, indicating a variety in the Ukrainian arsenal. This development could mean that Ukrainian FPV drones are now equipped with more lethal capabilities to effectively target and destroy armored vehicles on the battlefield.
The incorporation of top-down warheads in Ukrainian FPV drones signifies a shift in drone technology and warfare tactics. By enhancing the explosive potential of these drones, Ukrainian troops are now able to pose a greater threat to heavily armored vehicles like tanks, potentially changing the dynamics of warfare in conflict zones. The use of top-down munitions allows for more precise targeting and increased effectiveness against armored vehicles, making Ukrainian FPVs a formidable weapon on the battlefield.
