Content
What is an FPV drone in simple words? Design and principle of operation of an FPV drone. Types of FPV drones. Advantages of an FPV drone over a conventional quadcopter. Use of FPV drones in peacetime. Use of FPV drones for military purposes.
What is an FPV drone?
An FPV (First-Person View) drone is an unmanned aerial vehicle equipped with a camera that wirelessly transmits video to the pilot’s virtual reality glasses or video glasses. Thanks to this technology, the pilot can feel completely present in the airspace and see everything the drone sees, as if he were inside the aircraft.
Design and operating principle of an FPV drone.
FPV drones have the usual quadcopter design, consisting of a frame, electronics, motors, and a gyroscope.
A student at the Tambov State Technical University holds an FPV drone in his hands. Photo: Alexey Sukhorukov / RIA Novosti
The principle of operation of an FPV drone is to control the UAV with the help of special glasses. The pilot, sitting in a comfortable place, sees everything that happens around the drone, as if he were inside it. He can control the drone’s movements based on real-time video information.
A soldier controls an FPV drone. Photo: Evgeny Biyatov / RIA Novosti
Types of FPV drones
There are different types of FPV drones, each with its own characteristics:
racing drones
FPV drone racing. Photo: Dmyers86 / wikimedia.org
These drones are specially designed for high speed racing competitions. They are light, maneuverable and capable of high speeds. Racing drones usually have a compact and streamlined design.
Drones for aerial photography
FPV drone for aerial photography. Photo: youtube.com
These drones are specially designed to capture high-quality aerial photos and videos. They are equipped with high-resolution stabilized cameras and provide long flight times to cover a larger area.
drones for freestyle
Freestyle FPV drone with additional camera. Photo: youtube.com
Freestyle drones are versatile, allowing pilots to perform a variety of complex aerobatic maneuvers. They combine maneuverability and good handling to perform tricks and record dynamic videos.
military drones
UAV “Vladlen Tatarsky”. Photo: Telegram channel “Russian drone” / https://t.me/BPLAROSTOV
Recently, new FPV drones designed for military use have begun to actively appear. They are equipped with special means of hanging ammunition, use secure communication channels and are resistant to enemy electronic warfare equipment.
Advantages of an FPV drone over a normal quadcopter
FPV drones have a number of advantages over conventional quadcopters.
High speed. Light weight, compact size and aerodynamic design allow FPV drones to reach higher speeds than their conventional counterparts.The feeling of flying. FPV drones provide a first-person view, allowing the operator to feel as if they are inside the drone. In this way, they help the pilot immerse themselves in a deeper state of flight than conventional drones: precise control. With the help of glasses, the operator sees the surrounding environment through the “eyes” of the drone, which means that he can control the drone more precisely while overcoming various obstacles. The video image received from the drone’s camera allows operators to assess the situation and make informed decisions on the fly. This real-time feedback is essential when performing complex maneuvers or navigating hard-to-reach areas. Improved aerial photography and video. FPV drones provide a unique perspective for capturing aerial photography and video footage. Being able to see what the drone sees allows camera operators to be creative when framing and capturing dynamic photos and videos.
Using FPV drones in peacetime
An FPV drone pilot participates in a race. Photo: Slakteriitis / wikimedia.org
FPV drones are widely used in various fields:
Entertainment. FPV drone racing has gained popularity as a competitive sport in which pilots navigate challenging courses at high speeds. Additionally, FPV drones are used for recreational flying and aerial photography. FPV drones have revolutionized aerial photography and videography, allowing professionals to capture stunning images used in film, real estate marketing, surveying, etc. Search and rescue operations. The maneuverability and ability to capture real-time video footage make FPV drones a valuable tool for search and rescue teams. They help to quickly survey a large area, provide an aerial view, find missing people, or assess the potential danger of a particular situation. Surveillance and security. FPV drones equipped with high-definition cameras are used for surveillance and security. They allow you to control large areas and provide perimeter protection by collecting and transmitting information on offenders, agriculture and environmental protection. FPV drones can be equipped with specialized sensors to monitor crop health, detect plant diseases, assess soil conditions, and monitor environmental changes. FPV drones are used to inspect infrastructure such as power lines, bridges, and pipelines.
Use of FPV drones for military purposes
FPV drone with mine. Photo: Vitaly Belousov / RIA Novosti
FPV drones are also widely used in military operations. They can not only play the role of scout, but also attack enemy forces:
Intelligence service. FPV drones allow you to conduct territorial reconnaissance without putting personnel at risk. They can be used to monitor the enemy, detect objects, and gather intelligence. Thanks to their maneuverability and small size, FPV drones can penetrate hard-to-reach places and obtain valuable data without being detected.Support for operations. FPV drones can be used to support combat operations. They can serve as observation posts, transmitting information about the position and movements of the enemy, detecting dangerous mining obstacles, etc. Destruction of the enemy. FPV drones can also be used as weapons. To do this, they are armed with various ammunition, from hand grenades to RPG ammunition, thus turning them into a kind of kamikaze drone. The goal of kamikaze FPV drones is to cause maximum damage to the target by colliding with it, causing the warhead to detonate. During the special operation, these drones demonstrated that they can destroy not only human force, but also enemy armored vehicles. At the same time, FPV technology allows the operator to aim at the target as accurately as possible, and the low visibility of the drone often allows it to take the enemy by surprise.
