FlyEye drones: the secret weapon defying Russian anti-aircraft systems
Ukrainians increasingly use drones for numerous tasks, among which reconnaissance is the most prevalent. A recording shows Russians failing in their attempt to bring down a Polish FlyEye drone, leading to their consequent elimination. In this article, we will provide the context for this situation and examine the performance of the Polish drone.
8:33 PM EST, November 29, 2023
Polish FlyEye drones, manufactured by Flytronic, a subsidiary of the WB Group, have garnered highly positive reviews in Ukraine. They are among the rare systems capable of functioning where Russian anti-aircraft systems are active. Instances of FlyEye drones observing Buks have already been recorded, and now there's an instance where a FlyEye dodged an attack from the Strela-10 anti-aircraft system.
In the footage detailed by Remigiusz Wilk, the Director of Communication at the WB Group, after successfully avoiding the Strela-10 missile, the Polish drone was employed to observe the aftermath of a makeshift kamikaze drone attack.
FlyEye Drones: Polish Nightmare for the Russians
The FlyEye is an innovative, compact drone, weighing a mere 26 lbs and with an 11.8 ft wingspan. Although designed primarily for reconnaissance missions, its utility extends beyond this.
The FlyEye comes equipped with a stabilized observation head housing a pair of cameras. The primary one is a daylight camera with 30x zoom, providing detailed observation in daylight conditions. The secondary camera is a thermal imaging one with an uncooled sensor. Regardless of atmospheric conditions, it can practically detect any object.
A significant feature of the FlyEye drone is its autonomous operation ability. It operates based on navigation points but can track detected convoys. The drone can send real-time data to a control station or a command vehicle. If the drones are coupled with AHS Krab howitzers via the TOPAZ system, it can enable the bombardment of targets within seconds of detection.
FlyEye drones demonstrate robust operational autonomy, capable of staying airborne for two hours at altitudes of up to 2.2 miles. Moreover, their preparation for launch takes less than 10 minutes, a major advantage for situations demanding swift actions.
Furthermore, FlyEye drones have the capacity to be "hand" launched, implying they don't need a special catapult to initiate a mission. After a mission, the valuable observation heads are dropped via parachutes before the landing to minimize potential damage.
