At the Counter-UAS Homeland Security Conference, Arun Arumugam, Sales Director at Advanced Protection Systems (APS) discussed the growing threat of FPV drones in modern warfare. In response to challenges faced on the battlefield in Ukraine, APS has developed an FPV Jammer, specifically designed to neutralise the increasing threat posed by cheap, mass-produced FPV drones.
Addressing the battlefield threats in Ukraine
As UAS increasingly play a critical role in modern conflicts, FPV drones have emerged as a low-cost but highly effective tool, often used in large numbers for surveillance or targeted strikes. FPV drones, equipped with basic control boards, communications systems and antennas, are relatively easy to produce yet can carry significant payloads capable of striking troops, military equipment or infrastructure. According to APS, there needs to be some urgency in addressing this growing menace.
Según Arumugam, FPV drones have become popular due to their simplicity and low production costs:
“FPV drones are causing major chaos and headaches. You need a decent control board, some decent comms and a pretty decent antenna, and that’s about it. It’s a one-hit wonder. It’s like a self guided projectile that travels at very high speeds.”
APS’ FPV jammer
To counter this threat, APS has developed an FPV Jammer, which provides RF jamming protection across several frequency bands. This system has already been deployed in Ukraine, offering much-needed aerial protection to soldiers and assets on the ground. APS’s solution offers a 500-metre protection radius, effectively safeguarding troops operating in vulnerable positions, such as trenches or when dismounted from vehicles.
“We responded to the end users in Ukraine, where the SKYctrl system is currently operational on the battlefield, to create protection against FPV threats,” noted Arumugam.
Enhancing operational security
The development of the FPV Jammer is part of a broader suite of counter-UAS technologies that APS has been deploying in both military and civilian applications. The technology’s ability to jam multiple RF bands offers effective protection in dynamic battlefield environments where adversaries might use varying frequencies to guide their drones.
“We are on the battlefield to save lives and assets. Our radars are designed specifically to protect the airspace, to detect, reliably track and classify low, slow and small targets for all classes of drones, providing the end user with precise information on where that target is in the airspace,” Arumugam remarked.
As FPV drones become a more prevalent tool, particularly in the war in Ukraine, we are likely to see continued efforts by counter-UAS solution providers to apply the lessons learned to force protection efforts.
Post Image – A Ukrainian servicewoman learns to use an FPV drone (Post Image Credit: Elena Tita)
