Ukrainian and Russian forces deploy new FPV drone tactics for surprise attacks

A recent article by Forbes highlights a new threat in counter-drone warfare: the use of FPV (first-person view) drones for pop-up ambushes. This tactic, which involves drones landing on the ground to wait for a target, has been discussed before but is now gaining broader recognition for its potential impact on military operations.

Unlike conventional FPV drone attacks, which can be detected by radio emissions, these ambush drones remain dormant and invisible until activated. This method offers a significant advantage, as the drones can remain in position for extended periods, posing a danger anywhere, day or night. The threat is especially difficult to counter because the drone is undetectable until it strikes, offering little time for targets to react.

The concept of drones "perching and staring" is an approach used to extend the endurance of small drones. While quadcopters have limited flight times, typically around 30 minutes, they can conserve energy by landing on structures such as trees or powerlines to observe the area. In Ukraine, both sides have adapted this technique by deploying two drones—one for reconnaissance and communications, and the other for ambush. The reconnaissance drone provides constant surveillance and serves as a relay to extend the control range for the attack drone, which can remain hidden until the right moment to strike.

Pop-up ambush tactics can be executed by FPV drones that land near roads or potential targets, waiting until a vehicle or personnel enters their range. These drones can use thermal or night-vision sensors to detect moving targets, making them effective even in low visibility conditions. They can be deployed manually or dropped by larger drones, and some variants may be able to wait for several hours before activation, with more advanced versions possibly staying dormant for much longer.

This strategy has already been utilized by both Ukrainian and Russian forces, with some drones designed to stay in ambush for extended periods. For example, Russia's Joker drone can hibernate for up to a month. These tactics highlight the growing complexity of modern warfare, where drones, mines, and other technologies converge to create highly flexible and unpredictable threats. The increasing use of autonomous drones with advanced sensors further enhances the potential for these ambushes, raising new challenges for detection and countermeasures.