UAO & CVR - Total Defense against Drones

Total Defense against Drones - UAO & CVR against deadly (fiber) FPV drones

When our UAO team returned from the frontlines after the last delivery trip, the situation hit us hard.

The greatest threat facing all units right now: Russian fiber-optic drones. These drones are controlled via a thin fibre optic thread, instead of the conventional radio signal. It means the drones can fly further ánd the signal cannot be hindered by a jammer. 

The Russian advantage in this area is enormous. With a range of over 30 km, sometimes 40 km and what seems like an endless supply, these drones make it increasingly difficult to hold positions and keep soldiers safe. Why Ukraine and the West have allowed Russia to gain this advantage is unclear. The technology itself isn’t complex, and the necessary components are widely available. It appears to be a matter of priorities.

In the meantime, voluntary organizations like UAO are once again stepping in—to replenish vehicles, power stations, and drones when positions are hit. And we do so gladly. But it becomes harder when we hear about the human cost—those lost can never be replaced.

That’s why we’re dedicating this new, large-scale fundraiser to countering the threat of fiber-optic drones. Because even though we often feel powerless, we are not. A well-structured, 3 step action plan can make a massive difference: Detect/Defend, Move, Cover.

1. Defence

The best defense is to prevent drone launches altogether. Identifying Russian drone launch sites and eliminating the necessary equipment is often the most effective strategy. For this, Ukraine needs its own fiber-optic drones with a 30+ km range. 

Detection can also happen at the last line of defence. Shotguns are used to take down drones that come through the defences, and collimators (reddots) help soldiers to target the drones quicker and more accurately. 

Reddots installed on shotguns enable soldiers to shoot down approaching FPVs. This drone was downed by one of these combinations.

2. Move

Minimizing exposure to enemy drones is critical. In wooded terrain, quadbikes can transport fighters to positions far more quickly—replacing current 10+ km walks—while also taking advantage of natural cover.

While not immune against FPV drones, fast quad-bikes reduce the likelihood of getting hit near the frontline.

3. Cover

Deploying camouflage nets—on roads, in tree lines, above trenches—reduces unprotected exposure. On pickups, shrapnel-resistant kevlar spray, possibly combined with "cope cages," offers protection while maintaining greater mobility than full steel armor allows.

Nets act as last protection for positions, trenches or equipment.

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