The Svarog Scientific and Production Center explained when operators should choose fiber optic drone control and when digital radio is sufficient. This issue is especially relevant in conditions of dense electronic warfare.
Digital radio (Incubator, Kuznechik, Hermes complexes) provides free drone movement without cable tethering, a range of up to 40–46 kilometers with the Svarog 2.5 NSU, rapid deployment, and the ability to return the apparatus. However, it is vulnerable to electronic warfare on suppressed frequencies.
Fiber optics provide absolute protection against electronic warfare — a physical cable cannot be suppressed, stable latency, and high-resolution video. But it is limited in range: cable length from 5 to 30 kilometers. The drone cannot return, the cable can get caught or break. The SPC listed three main mistakes when working with fiber optics: sudden activation without checking the cable position, flying close to bushes (a light touch changes thrust), and too high altitude (the propeller can damage the cable from above).
According to the developers, for reconnaissance with the possibility of return in the absence of severe electronic warfare, digital radio is suitable. For operation under dense electronic warfare and one-way use, fiber optics. For a quasi-mast or stationary post, fiber optics are also better.
Both configurations are available on the Gorynych drone and a number of other Svarog models. The Gorynych cargo FPV drone with fiber optics is already in use. It can transport up to 10 kilograms of cargo for 15 kilometers, and with a lighter load — up to 30 kilometers. After delivery, the reel can be dropped, and the return is carried out via radio channel.