You can't jam the signal when it's directly connected. Think ethernet cable to wifi. The war heavily uses drones. It's been a cat and mouse game that Ukraine has been winning and this is the latest innovation.

[–] some_guy@lemmy.sdf.org 6 points 6 days ago (3 children)

But wouldn't fiber optic cable over long distance add so much weight as to impede flight or carrying munitions? Is it shockingly lightweight?

[–] perestroika@lemm.ee 17 points 6 days ago* (last edited 6 days ago) (2 children)

Is it shockingly lightweight?

A 5 km spool of 50 micrometer fiber weighs approximately 1 kg - but that's a telecom spool. Drone operators use lighter spools and some use 25 micrometer fibers.

Air resistance is considerable, though. Think of a drone carrying a small bucket. And you cannot zigzag under trees - but that's a rare thing to do even with radio control.

Glad to hear that Ukrainians have some fiber system in widespread use. Some projects to assist them are still stuck behind technical obstacles. I think their technicians put in more working hours, and had less formalities that slow down testing.

I recall that in spring, when Ukrainians found the first Russian fiber drone crashed (most people didn't even know of the possibility), a well known radio amateur Serhii "Flash" Beskrestnov communicated the design very clearly and posted photos. Obvious message: "they will soon have it working, we need to work hard to get the same or better". The message was received - in many places, not just Ukraine.

[–] Tar_alcaran@sh.itjust.works 5 points 6 days ago (1 children)

Another benefit is that most of the fiber will be on the ground as you get closer to the target. Your drone will get lighter as it flies.

[–] Fungah@lemmy.world 1 points 6 days ago (1 children)

Could you reel it back in after the drone explodes for reuse?

[–] superkret@feddit.org 8 points 6 days ago* (last edited 6 days ago)

You wouldn't want to. Lives could depend on the next drone's mission, why risk losing it from a kink in the fiber? Also, the time putting it back on reels is better spent elsewhere. Fiber is very, very, very cheap compared to all other expenses in war. You don't collect brass to re-load ammo on the battlefield either.

[–] Madison420@lemmy.world 1 points 5 days ago

I'm going to bet they're older spools for tow missiles.

[–] SupraMario@lemmy.world 11 points 6 days ago (1 children)

Think fishing line. It's so thin it weighs basically nothing.

[–] some_guy@lemmy.sdf.org 5 points 6 days ago

Impressive. Thank for the info.

[–] JokeDeity@lemm.ee 3 points 6 days ago

Any weight at all is going to effect the drones ability, but fiber optic cables are very very lightweight, being just a wrapped strand of glass.