Russian forces are using LTE mobile networks and Ukrainian SIM cards to remotely control FPV drones, Serhii Beskrestnov, adviser to Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov, said.
Ehhh…I mean, if the things have a GPS receiver, which I assume that they do, they can probably be configured to move to a given location and then only then flip on the cell radio to act as a relay.
EDIT: Honestly, I’m kind of surprised that someone hasn’t tried a drone that can deploy, say hydrogen or helium balloons with a relay radio hanging from them. It’s gotta be a complete pain in the ass to try to shoot balloons down, as they’re cheap, and they probably linger in an area long enough to permit for operations using them as a relay on an extended basis. They can also probably get a lot higher than a comparable drone, if that’s desirable.
EDIT: Honestly, I’m kind of surprised that someone hasn’t tried a drone that can deploy, say hydrogen or helium balloons
Balloons have already been tried, deploying them from drones is a pain so they’re mostly ground based. Russians are currently doing that to compensate for starlink losses
edit: look up Barrage-1, that’s their current 5G balloon testbed
Ah, gotcha, thanks. It looks like that’s a larger and more elaborate than what I was thinking of, with a ballast system and limited maneuverability. considers I dunno what the cost impact is.
However, the Barrage-1’s comparatively low altitudes could make them targets for Ukrainian air defense systems and other countermeasures.
“And what’s most important for us? To have the means that can detect such objects over our territory,” Beskrestnov suggested. “And to have the ability to shoot down such targets if they pose a threat. As far as I remember, the S-300 [surface to air missile system] can engage targets at an altitude of 20-30 km (about 12 to 19 miles).”
If it’s expensive enough, then using S-300s or comparable systems becomes economical.
Ehhh…I mean, if the things have a GPS receiver, which I assume that they do, they can probably be configured to move to a given location and then only then flip on the cell radio to act as a relay.
EDIT: Honestly, I’m kind of surprised that someone hasn’t tried a drone that can deploy, say hydrogen or helium balloons with a relay radio hanging from them. It’s gotta be a complete pain in the ass to try to shoot balloons down, as they’re cheap, and they probably linger in an area long enough to permit for operations using them as a relay on an extended basis. They can also probably get a lot higher than a comparable drone, if that’s desirable.
Balloons have already been tried, deploying them from drones is a pain so they’re mostly ground based. Russians are currently doing that to compensate for starlink losses
edit: look up Barrage-1, that’s their current 5G balloon testbed
https://www.twz.com/news-features/russia-eyes-balloon-communications-system-to-fill-massive-gap-left-after-losing-starlink
Ah, gotcha, thanks. It looks like that’s a larger and more elaborate than what I was thinking of, with a ballast system and limited maneuverability. considers I dunno what the cost impact is.
If it’s expensive enough, then using S-300s or comparable systems becomes economical.