// UNMANNED SYSTEMS AND NEXT-GEN WARFARE TERM
FPV Drone
An FPV (First-Person View) drone is an unmanned aircraft where the pilot sees a live video feed from the drone's perspective, typically through goggles. This immersive view allows for highly agile and precise maneuvering, as if the pilot were in the cockpit.
TECHNICAL DEFINITION
An FPV (First-Person View) drone is a type of unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), often a quadcopter, that transmits a real-time, low-latency video signal from an onboard camera to a pilot's display, such as goggles or a headset. This system enables intuitive, high-speed flight control, making it effective for military applications like reconnaissance, direct attack, and functioning as a low-cost loitering munition.
BACKGROUND
A fiber optic drone is an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), usually a first-person view (FPV) loitering munition, which uses an optical fiber as its primary guidance and teleoperation link. These drones usually have fiber optic cables between 5 and 20 km long, although prototypes with up to 50 km (31 mi) range have been developed. Fiber optic drones are impossible for defence forces to jam and very difficult to detect, as they are small and constructed from lightweight materials and have no thermal or radio signature. They are relatively inexpensive to produce.
READ MORE ON WIKIPEDIASYNONYMS & ALIASES
- Kamikaze drone
- suicide drone
- one-way attack drone
- loitering munition
- first-person-view UAV
- attack drone
USAGE NOTE
In a defense context, 'FPV drone' typically refers to small, commercially-derived systems adapted for one-way attack missions, contrasting with larger, purpose-built military UAVs.
DEVELOPERS
Organizations developing technology related to FPV Drone.
A leading U.S. defense contractor specializing in small unmanned aircraft systems (UAS). They develop and manufacture loitering munitions like the Switchblade, which are guided to their targets using a real-time FPV video feed.
A defense technology company that builds AI-powered hardware and software for military applications. Their portfolio includes the Ghost UAS, a small autonomous drone used for ISR (Intelligence, Surveillance, Reconnaissance) that provides operators with advanced FPV capabilities.
A U.S.-based drone manufacturer and subsidiary of Red Cat Holdings, which also owns FPV brand Rotor Riot. Teal develops high-performance drones like the Golden Eagle for defense and public safety, which is approved by the Department of Defense and designed for reconnaissance and situational awareness missions using FPV.
A U.S. company known for its AI-powered autonomous drones. Their Skydio X2D and X10D systems are designed for military and enterprise use, providing advanced obstacle avoidance and high-resolution FPV feeds for tactical operations.
An Israeli company that specializes in the design and manufacturing of loitering munition systems. Their HERO series of 'kamikaze drones' are precision-guided via an FPV link, allowing an operator to track, lock on, and engage targets with high accuracy.
Develops an AI pilot called Hivemind, which enables drones and aircraft to operate autonomously in high-threat environments. Their V-BAT UAS platform uses this AI to perform complex missions, with operators supervising via FPV and other data links.
A world leader in thermal imaging and sensor technology. While not a drone manufacturer itself, Teledyne FLIR develops and supplies the compact, high-performance thermal and electro-optical camera payloads that are essential for military FPV drones, enabling operations at night and in adverse conditions.
A multinational defense and aerospace company that develops a wide range of military technologies, including various unmanned aerial systems. Their research and development includes small tactical drones that utilize FPV for reconnaissance and targeting.