FPV DRONES

First-Person View (FPV) drones are small, manually controlled UAVs that provide real-time video to operators for precise navigation and deep-strike capabilities without relying on GPS. While cost-effective and useful for reconnaissance and attacks, they face challenges like limited operator situational awareness, often requiring an additional visual guide.

Description

Disclaimer: Copyright infringement not intended.

Context:

Recently, Ukraine used First-person view drones to attack Russia and destroyed more than 40 planes.

About First-Person View Drones:

Aspect

Description

Definition of FPV Drones

First-Person View (FPV) drones are small, unmanned aerial vehicles that provide real-time video feeds to the operator, allowing precise control.

View Mechanism

The operator sees what the drone sees through cameras mounted on the drone. The video is displayed via special glasses, smartphones, or screens.

Usage of Reconnaissance Drones

A larger drone is first sent to scout and identify the target area. It helps in locating and confirming the specific area to be engaged.

Range of FPV Drones

FPV drones usually operate within a short range of a few kilometers.

Functionality

These drones can navigate obstacles and perform operations like surveillance, monitoring, and search-and-rescue missions.

Control and Maneuvering

FPV drones are manually operated with real-time visual input, allowing for precise and responsive movement.

Features of First-Person View Drones:

  • GPS-independent navigation: operates without relying on satellite-based GPS, increasing flexibility against jamming or signal loss.
  • SmartPilot System: Uses advanced visual-high navigation, explaining camera data to determine the situation and movement.
  • Lidar Technology: LiDAR Technology complements the smartPilot system, increases accuracy in a complex or disorganized environment.

Why are the advantages?

  • Major advantages are cost and deep strike capabilities, while large extent are inferior.
  • Such drones are also used in filming and other non-defense purposes.

Challenges:

  • A big challenge is that the movement of drones through their surroundings by the drone operator cannot be seen.
  • This can limit the situational awareness and lead to disorientation. Many times, another person, a visual supervisor, may be required to guide the person controlling the drone.

Source: Indian Express

PRACTICE QUESTION

Q. With reference to First-Person View (FPV) drones, consider the following statements:

  1. FPV drones provide real-time video feed to the operator through cameras mounted on the drone.
  2. These drones primarily rely on GPS for navigation and precise control.
  3. FPV drones are used in both defense operations like deep strikes and non-defense activities such as filming.
  4. One of the main challenges with FPV drones is the limited situational awareness of the drone operator, sometimes requiring an additional visual supervisor.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 and 2 only

(b) 1, 3 and 4 only

(c) 2 and 4 only

(d) 1, 2, 3 and 4

Answer: B

Explanation:

Statement 1 is correct: FPV drones provide real-time video feed through cameras mounted on the drone.

Statement 2 is incorrect: FPV drones operate with GPS-independent navigation, meaning they do not primarily rely on GPS.

Statement 3 is correct: FPV drones are used for deep strike capabilities in defense and also for filming and other non-defense purposes.

Statement 4 is correct: A major challenge is limited situational awareness for the operator, sometimes requiring a visual supervisor.

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