WARSAW, POLAND — The Russians are bragging about the Flyeye drone captured in Ukraine. Photos of a complete unmanned aerial vehicle manufactured by WB Group have appeared on social media linked to Russian propaganda. It is worth noting that this is the first machine of this type in Russian hands, although they have been intensively used by the Ukrainian army since 2015.
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The photos of the captured drone appeared for the first time on January 9 on the “War Gonzo” channel of the Russian journalist-propagandist Semyon Pegov. As he claims, the machine was captured by Russian soldiers during the fighting in the Luhansk direction. It is difficult to confirm this information since the photos do not show the circumstances of the acquisition of this loot, but parts of the hull are presented in a closed room.
The aircraft, as seen from the photos, is in good condition and most likely was not shot down or disabled in flight, but rather captured on the ground. Perhaps it was in the equipment of the eliminated unit of the Ukrainian special forces or artillery. These two formations most often use Polish unmanned aerial vehicles. The observation module whose nameplate is visible in the pictures was manufactured last year. All machine elements are described in Polish.
Since 2015 in Ukraine
As representatives of the FlyEye machine manufacturer, ie. WB Group, emphasizes that this event has propaganda significance, but does not affect the safety of the use of these machines by Ukraine, or even more so by Poland.
FlyEye is protected
First of all, the FlyEye machines have many software and hardware protections designed to prevent or seriously hinder enemy penetration of the captured equipment and its secrets.
In addition to these limitations, the Russians also face a technological problem. Before they can use the data obtained with this machine, the next generation of FlyEye will enter the service.
It is also worth noting that FlyEye has a modular structure, which makes it easy to modify selected elements of the system. Software changes can be made at runtime without modifying the hardware.
Upcoming modernization
About FlyEye
The FlyEye unmanned aerial system deployed for service in the Polish Armed Forces is a mini-class hand-held unmanned aerial system, which in the latest version – FlyEye 3.0 – has a manufacturer-specified range of 50 km using a standard antenna.
The optical-electronic head has a daylight and thermal imaging camera, and the communication and control systems are characterized by a high degree of resistance to interference. In case of loss of contact with the operator, the machine can fly according to a pre-provided flight plan.
The take-off weight of the hull is 12 kg, and its flight duration is estimated at over 2.5 hours. In addition, it is highly resistant to interference. Representatives of the WB Group emphasize that FlyEye, in addition to the “traditional” tasks of conducting observations or correcting artillery fire, can also perform, among others, the role of a repeater of communication systems. This is possible thanks to the design, where the task module, landing separately on the parachute, is interchangeable and, in addition to the standard reconnaissance configuration, can appear in special-task variants carried by the same standard aircraft structure.
