Gadfly (drone)

2024: Delivery to RWT area

On October 15, 2024, it became known that Russian kamikaze drones "Ovod" began to be delivered to the zone of a special military operation, in which self-liquidation means, a machine vision function and a multi-stage protection system were implemented. The volume of the first batch of these drones amounted to 4 thousand units.

The drone is made according to the quadcopter scheme with four bearing screws. The drone is equipped with a special algorithm that allows you to capture contrasting pixels and target collisions with them. When the operator sees the target through the glasses, he presses the button on the control panel, after which the drone self-directs to the object. Moreover, the drone is not influenced by third-party means of electronic suppression, which ensures the effective implementation of the combat mission.

source = Popular Front

As told TASS in, the People's Front UAV has a remote detonation function. According to Andrei Ivanov, the developer in charge of the project, the drone has powerful machine vision. Thanks to a special algorithm, the system can detect and recognize various objects. A multi-stage protection system is provided when equipping the warhead.

Earlier it was reported that a new model of the combat FPV-drone "Ovod-10," capable of delivering ammunition and food, was created in Russia. This drone has several modifications. One of them is distinguished by increased range and carrying capacity, the other - the ability to conduct detailed shooting in the infrared range using a thermal imager. The developers say that due to its carrying capacity, range, the presence of a sensitive camera and a system for dumping miscellaneous objects, the new drone will be able to deliver the cargo necessary for fighters in the most difficult conditions, at the very forefront at any time of day or night and in almost any weather conditions.^[1]

2023

Development of AI homing system for combat FPV-drones

The Russian FPV-drone "Ovod" received a homing system based on a neural network, allowing this unmanned aircraft (BVS) to attack static and dynamic targets without human participation. This was announced in mid-August 2023 by the head of the project group Andrei Ivanov.

And this helps in the end the BVS operator not only detect and, say, capture the target, but also hit it offline. Moreover, I draw your attention, these are not only static objects, but also dynamic ones. The accuracy of application is about 90%, - he said in a conversation with RIA Novosti.

Russian FPV-drone "Ovod" received a homing system

According to Ivanov, by mid-August 2023, the system was tested at training grounds and will soon be tested in the zone of a special military operation (SVO).

"Gadflies" work on the principle of FPV (First Person View), transmitting a picture from the on-board camera to the operator. Drones provide, among other things, reception of video image via an additional video radio channel in real time. The operator controlling such a drone can see the image from the video camera using monitors, televisions, video glasses or video glasses. With the help of the homing system, the operator will be able to fix the drone on the target it needs and give the drone a command to attack - after that, the drone will perform the approach to the target and dive itself, without the participation of a person.

The previously used Armed Forces of the Russian Federation "Ovods" in the zone of the North-Eastern Military District are capable of carrying ammunition of the fragmentation and high-explosive fragmentation type. The cost UAV is about 40 or 65 thousand rubles , depending on the modification. By mid-August 2023, the Ovodov parties are already being used in the units of the South group of forces of the Armed Forces in the Russia Avdeev and Zaporizhzhya directions, RIA Novosti notes^[2]

Start of drone employment at long distance

The Russian drone "Ovod" was first used at a long distance, as a result, the Ukrainian observation post in the Avdeevsky direction in the DPR was hit. This was reported on July 12, 2023 by RIA Novosti. The agency also released a video allegedly showing the defeat of the APU position.

According to the developers, "Gadfly" is constantly being improved and modernized. It was possible to use a drone at a long distance thanks to the use of repeaters.

Gadfly (drone)

By July 2023, the Ovodov parties are already being used in the units of the South group of forces of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation. Drones are capable of carrying ammunition of the fragmentation and high-explosive fragmentation type. The cost of each such drone is about 40 thousand rubles.

"Gadfly" refers to first-person controlled (FPV) drones. Such devices provide not only control over the radio channel of the radio control system, but also reception of video image over an additional video radio channel in real time. The operator controlling such a drone can see the image from the video camera using monitors, televisions, video glasses or video glasses.

Dmitry Kuzyakin, general director of the Center for Integrated Unmanned Solutions (CDC), says that the introduction of combat FPV drones into the army is comparable to the emergence of firearms in the 14th century. According to him, by July 2023, Russia keeps parity and is a leader in this area.

So far, the devices themselves and the technology of their use look imperfect and look more like arquebuses and squeaked from the late Middle Ages, but in a few years countries that do not have such military solutions will face very serious problems, "said the head of the Center for Complex Unmanned Solutions.[3]

Notes