The Russian military is increasingly facing a new threat on the battlefield - Ukrainian FPV drones, which, according to a well-known Russian "military fighter" under the pseudonym Fighterbomber, are becoming more dangerous for helicopters than anti-aircraft missiles. As Defense Express reports, only two successful attacks by such drones are known, both in the Kursk region, where the Armed Forces of Ukraine conduct special operations.
According to the military commander, Russian pilots are often reprimanded for energetic maneuvering during attacks, which, according to analysts, is due to attempts to conserve equipment resources. However, it turned out that the radio electronic warfare (EW) systems installed on helicopters still remain at the level of "enthusiasts" and do not have centralized support from the Russian industry.
EW systems on Russian helicopters, such as the L-370 Vitebsk, effectively counter anti-aircraft and air-to-air missiles by warning the crew of the threat and releasing thermal traps. However, these systems are powerless against FPV drones. This opens up new opportunities for Ukrainian drones, which can pose a serious threat to Russian helicopters.
Self-made EW complexes installed on helicopters are not a panacea and can cause problems, in particular, due to conflicts with other radio systems already installed on aircraft. This is especially true of Ka-52 helicopters, known for their high vibration, which further complicates the situation.
According to analysts, a long time may pass before the appearance of effective Russian-made EW factory means, since the development and implementation of new technologies in aviation is a long process. In addition, in the context of the fight against FPV drones, electronic countermeasures may prove to be helpless, since Ukrainian drones can use machine vision technologies that allow to bypass EW.
Speed remains one of the key factors in the confrontation between FPV drones and helicopters. While some drones are capable of reaching speeds of up to 260 km/h, the Ka-52 is cruising speed, with a top speed of 310 km/h. This may allow Russian helicopters to avoid oncoming attacks, but it will be difficult to completely defend against the new threat.
