Ukraine Tests FPV Drone with Target Detection, Lock-On, and Tracking System

The group of volunteer engineers ‘Wild Hornets’ showed tests of an FPV drone with a target detection, lock-on and tracking system.

The corresponding video was released by the group on its X (ex-Twitter).

The released footage shows the FPV drone, while in PREPARE mode, highlighting people’s silhouettes in green.

After that, the crosshairs of the sight are pointed at the person, and TRACKING mode is turned on. At the same time, the selected silhouette of the person turns red.

Most likely, tracking, selection and tracking of targets occurs automatically, but the lock-on can be performed manually.

Machine vision in FPV drones

The Militarnyi reported on April 4, 2024, that the commander of the ‘Magyar Birds’ unit made a detailed analysis of the captured Russian FPV drone with an automatic targeting system.

The invaders lost in the Kherson region an attack FPV-drone of the Russian “Doomsday” unit due to the work of the Ukrainian electronic warfare system.

Structurally, the drone is based on the basic spare parts of the Chinese company Foxeer and a 7-inch frame made of carbon fiber.

The Ukrainian military with the call sign ‘Magyar’ mentioned a system of detonation, which is branched from the initiation board along the body of the device, which, in case of a fall, closes and blows up the charge. Another mode of its operation is remote detonation at the command of the “machine vision” system.

The significant differences of the drone are its module of the Orange Pi 5 on-board computer and a customized antenna with a non-standard frequency of receiving and transmitting data, which allows you to avoid the influence of most common “trench” stations on the front.

“Magyar” notes that with a relatively small increase in price, a drone with such a module and the necessary software solves the main cause of failure – loss of control due to lack of communication associated with the effect of “radio horizon” and EW systems on enemy equipment.

In addition, the use of artificial intelligence elements in drones allows for significantly reduced training requirements for pilots, equating beginners with experienced operators. They will only need to bring the device to the target and capture it in sight, and then he will do everything himself.

Recall that in March 2024, Militarnyi demonstrated the use by the Ukrainian military of its own drones with a “machine vision” system.

The video shows how the drone guidance system is fixed on the target, after which, under the action of enemy electronic warfare equipment, communications are cut off.

However, after that, the drone continued to attack the target in automatic mode and successfully strike it.