I'm summarizing the key takeaways from my recent video, "FPV 'Suicide' Drones Are Not the Easy Button - Arma 3".
In that video, I explored the disconnect between the battlefield hype surrounding FPV drones and the complex realities of their effective use, both in real-world conflict and in a simulated environment like Arma 3.
Drawing from expert analysis and my own frustrating attempts in the editor, here are the essential lessons I learned:
1. FPV Drones: My Reality Check on the Hype
The narrative surrounding FPV suicide drones often oversells their simplicity and effectiveness. I noted that a combat veteran's firsthand account suggests these drones are "not as good as people are selling them," urging caution against videos that may be part of an information warfare strategy. My main takeaway is that FPV drones are a tough weapon system, not a guaranteed kill.
2. Training and Technique Are Non-Negotiable
Mastery of FPV drones requires significant skill and dedicated training, far beyond the casual use I might be used to in gaming:
Formal Training: Real-world operators undergo structured training, often lasting four to six weeks. It's clear that this technology isn't simply something a soldier is handed to use effectively without instruction.
Precision Maneuvers: Complex flight paths, such as turning left, require a specific sequence of controls—often yaw first, then cyclic—to execute properly, demonstrating that even basic movement has a high skill floor.
Flight Planning: Effective attacks rely on operators mentally plotting their attack route to remain hidden and account for terrain and obstacles, a tactical step I need to incorporate better, as it's often skipped in fast-paced video game scenarios.
3. Targeting is Extremely Difficult
My Arma 3 exercise proved just how difficult it is to score a hit, which aligns with reports from the field:
Multiple Misses: Despite knowing the target's exact location (a trench), my first drone missed its mark entirely.
Lack of Punch: A successful hit on an armored vehicle didn't result in a critical kill. This highlights that the warhead must be matched to the target, and that impact location and charge type are critical factors against hardened targets.
My overall lesson here: it is "very difficult to hit things," especially under pressure, which emphasizes the importance of a good pilot and overwhelming numbers.
4. Kill Chains with Artillery Are the True 'Easy Button'
After my two FPV drone attempts failed to neutralize the target position, I concluded the exercise by switching to a reliable indirect fire solution. The enemy position was finally obliterated using HIMARS artillery called in via the Drongo's Artillery mod.
This simulation reinforced my notion that while FPV drones are a powerful tool, they are only one component of a kill chain. When a direct-fire, specialized munition like the FPV drone fails, traditional heavy weapons—such as long-range, area-denial artillery—are often the reliable solution to achieve mission success.
You can watch the full video of this experiment here:
Cheers,
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