Underwater Drone Strike Causes Damage to Russian River Bridge, First Reported Incident
In a groundbreaking development, a video posted on Telegram shows an underwater FPV drone, believed to be the Shrike Special Edition, destroying a Russian river crossing in the Kharkiv region. This marks the first recorded underwater action by an amphibious drone in combat conditions, four months after the technology was unveiled.
The Shrike FPV attack drone, capable of landing in water, submerging, and taking off again, was potentially used for a trial run to test its ability to hit a bridge target in combat conditions. The drone, nestled close to one end of the crossing, blew up, causing the crossing to be destroyed.
While the specific capabilities and uses of the Shrike Special Edition in Ukraine are not detailed, submersible FPV drones generally offer unique functionalities. They are designed for underwater exploration, providing real-time video feed to the operator, and are equipped with high-definition cameras for detailed observation. Their high maneuverability allows them to navigate through complex underwater environments.
Submersible FPV drones can also be portable and versatile, suitable for various tasks such as search and rescue operations, environmental monitoring, or scientific research. Some models may offer autonomous features, enhancing their utility in extensive underwater surveys.
The potential uses of submersible FPV drones extend beyond exploration and research. They can be used for military reconnaissance or surveillance, though their use in such contexts would depend on specific design and capabilities. In addition, they can potentially place explosives and return for more, similar to minelaying drones.
The destruction of the river crossing might cause the Russians some inconvenience, but destroying three logs is not a major loss. Interestingly, the Shrike drone was positioned downstream of the river crossing, which is unusual as the upstream approach would have been more obvious.
Communication underwater is a challenge, but not insurmountable. It is speculated that the Shrike drone's battery may have been running down while waiting in ambush, potentially leading to its detonation to avoid capture.
The Northen Eagle Battalion of the 151st Motorized Rifle Brigade posted the video on Telegram, with a caption saying 'Underwater FPV...Destroying an enemy crossing'. A link to donate to buy more drones is included in the video's caption.
This demonstration of the Shrike drone's capabilities against challenging targets underscores the potential of submersible FPV drones in various military and civilian applications. The Chinese TJ Flying Fish, for example, is another underwater multicopter drone capable of travelling and maneuvering with high precision underwater. As technology continues to advance, the possibilities for these drones are vast and promising.
- The Shrike FPV drone, a submersible aircraft, is not only known for its ability to hit targets in combat conditions, but also for its use in underwater exploration and observation, due to its high-definition cameras and real-time video feed.
- Submersible FPV drones, gadgets of advanced technology, are not limited to military applications, as they can be used for a variety of tasks such as search and rescue operations, environmental monitoring, or scientific research.
- As technology continues to evolve, the potential uses of submersible FPV drones extend into various fields, including war-and-conflicts, politics, and general-news reporting, with models like the Chinese TJ Flying Fish showcasing high precision underwater travel and maneuverability.
