The incorporation of small, cheap, and mass-produced attack drones has given soldiers an edge in conflicts around the world. As a result, long-standing defense doctrines have been forced to adapt in order to confront the asymmetrical nature of such a challenge (i.e., should I really use my $30,000 interceptor missile to shoot down one $1,000 drone made in a garage?). Many armed forces have responded by incorporating “soft-kill” counter-UAV (C-UAS) measures- radio frequency (RF) jamming, GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System) spoofing, and other means of electronic warfare (EW). Instead of shooting down enemy drones, defenses often use EW to disrupt the command communications link, forcing the drone to lose control. This offers a cheaper, more sustainable alternative to “hard kill” solutions, like missiles.  

Russia – Ukraine Conflict | Optic fiber Based Drone

However, fiber-optic cables have created a new challenge for C-UAS solutions. The same low cost, mass-produced drones are now being fitted with thin optical fiber spooled from the aircraft, replacing RF links and drastically reducing their radio signature. The result? Agile drones that are hard for large-aperture radars to detect and resistant to conventional jamming techniques. First reported operational during the current Ukraine-Russia conflict, their use has been observed across global conflict zones, and they represent a rapidly growing threat due to their producibility and tactical advantages. Depending on design, a spool of fiber-optic cable can hold dozens of kilometers worth of cable, allowing pilots to fly long distances without the threat of RF interception. Popular versions of these drones are flown via FPV (first person view), and the fiber-optic cables give pilots clear, uninterrupted broadcasts of their flight with little delay for real-time video. 

In order to confront the growing threat of fiber-optic drones, there are two broad lessons that can be drawn. First, the importance of establishing a comprehensive, layered C-UAS umbrella. No air defense array is impenetrable, but interconnecting different solutions to address a variety of threats is essential. From long-range radar and optical detection, to real-time tracking and interception, defenses must form a layered C-UAS field that even fiber-optic drones struggle to navigate. Second, kinetic and physical countermeasures retain their value. Sometimes, the answer is quite simple and straightforward. Though the drone’s communications systems cannot be hacked, its propellers remain vulnerable.

Systems like DefendAir, which uses a net to intercept enemy drones, is an innovative response to the threat of fiber-optic drones. Adaptable for air-to-air interceptions, turret-based systems, or soldier-level portable guns, DefendAir fills functional gaps in modern C-UAS umbrellas. In practice, an integrated C-UAS posture that fuses sensor inputs and mixes electronic and kinetic responses gives the best operational coverage, giving aerial defenses the best chance at curbing the growing threat of UAVs, both wireless and fiber-optic alike.