Enemy drones with solar panels spotted on the front line: Why they're dangerous
A solar panel can’t power a drone during flight, but it enables standby operation.
Enemy FPV drone with a solar panel
Enemy FPV drones equipped with solar panels have appeared on the front line.
This was reported by electronic warfare and communications systems specialist Serhii "Flash" Beskrestnov on Telegram.
According to him, the drone shown in the photo is not the first enemy FPV drone spotted with a solar panel.
"Flash" explains that such a panel cannot provide power during flight, but an FPV drone equipped this way can remain on standby for a very long time.
This means the solar panel allows the drone to operate in standby mode — in other words, to remain on position for extended periods, powering its camera and communications system. As a result, the drone can be launched at any moment a target appears, without needing constant battery replacement or recharging.
"I ask everyone to take this information into account for possible replication and the development of countermeasures," the expert wrote.