Russia is now training its troops to launch first-person view (FPV) drones from helicopters to counter Ukraine’s uncrewed surface vessels (USVs), commonly known as sea drones. A new video posted on the Russian Tactical_13 Telegram channel reveals this technique in action, marking the first time we’ve seen this approach from the Russians.
In the video, one soldier puts on FPV goggles while another releases the drone from the helicopter over the water. The drone is seen flying low, but there are no sea drones in sight at that moment.
Using helicopters to launch FPV drones makes a lot of sense because it greatly increases the range and flexibility of these drones. Typically, FPV drones can fly only about a dozen miles, and even less in real combat situations because they need a constant connection with their operator. This connection can be interrupted by obstacles like mountains or buildings. But by using helicopters or other aircraft to launch and control these drones, the signal remains strong, allowing the drones to fly farther without interference.
In this setup, the helicopter acts as both the launch system and the control center. Being high up in the air over water ensures the drone can operate at its maximum range and effectiveness. While more advanced drones are being developed for similar purposes, this simpler method is much easier and cheaper to implement, yet still effective.
FPV drones are nimble and can act as precision-guided weapons, capable of tracking down sea drones and destroying them. However, hitting a moving target like a sea drone is never easy. Using helicopters to deploy FPV drones is another evolution in drone warfare, which has played a massive role in this war. Aerial suicide drones have been used before to attack boats, so it makes sense that Russia is now focused on defending against Ukraine’s long-range sea drones.
#war Another video of the breakthrough of
— Capt(N) (@Capt_Navy) March 23, 2023drones on Sevastopol harbor in the early morning of March 22. One of them was stopped by a booms at the entrance to the harbor and exploded. Two others managed to jump over the booms and they were destroyed already in the harbor. pic.twitter.com/3bWHShWwEx
By launching these drones from helicopters, Russia can cover large areas of the Black Sea and attack Ukrainian sea drones before they get close to important locations like ports or ships. This is far more effective than waiting for the sea drones to reach the shore or ships and then trying to shoot them down with traditional weapons.
This tactic isn’t completely new. Russia has used helicopters before to defend against Ukrainian drone boats. In May, there was a report showing a Russian helicopter attacking a Ukrainian sea drone. Ukrainian drone boats have caused major damage to Russia’s Black Sea Fleet, forcing them to relocate to safer ports. Ukraine even used sea drones to attack the Kerch Bridge in July 2023.
These sea drone attacks show how a smaller, weaker navy like Ukraine’s can still cause significant damage to a much larger force like Russia’s. It makes sense that Russia would try to turn the tide by applying the same tactics with FPV drones in the Black Sea that have worked for ground warfare.
If successful, this method could extend beyond the current conflict, with special operations aircrews in other parts of the world likely adopting similar strategies. For now, it remains to be seen whether Russia’s use of helicopter-launched FPV drones will prove effective in combat, but given the nature of the war, we’ll probably find out soon.
