The evolution of Class I FPV drones – from model aircraft to military applications

Abstract

In this publication, the author examines the evolution of Class I FPV (First Person View) unmanned aerial vehicles, focusing on how they have evolved from civilian use to military applications. The article outlines the origins of FPV technology, its development, and the technical and organisational factors that made it possible to adapt it to the conditions of the modern battlefield. Particular attention is paid to the technical characteristics of small-class FPV drones, including communication systems, video transmission, and the individual components from which the unmanned aerial vehicle is made. The article illustrates the scale and manner of FPV drone deployment in the Russia–Ukraine conflict, during which they became a key tool for asymmetric operations at the tactical level. It discusses both the improvised nature of some technical solutions and mass production, dedicated procurement platforms and the development of operational procedures. A separate section of the analysis is devoted to Operation Spiderweb, presented as an example of the coordinated use of FPV drones to strike targets of strategic importance, in terms of cost-effectiveness. This case study documents the potential arising from the combination of miniaturisation, technical improvisation and elements of autonomy in unmanned systems. The article also addresses the issue of integrating FPV drones with artificial intelligence algorithms, drawing attention to the ethical implications associated with the increasing autonomy of battlefield equipment. The purpose of the article is to outline the evolution of Class I FPV drones, highlight their current combat applications, and identify potential directions for further development and their impact on future armed conflicts. The methodology involved an analysis of academic publications in the field of security and defence, analytical reports and OSINT (Open Source Intelligence) sources, including audiovisual material supplemented by statements from defence sector institutions. An additional research source was the author’s own observation and practical experience in the design and operation of FPV unmanned aerial vehicles. This experience made it possible to verify some of the findings concerning technical solutions and operational capabilities. Research limitations stemmed from the ongoing and rapidly evolving nature of the conflict; the research approach adopted allowed to draw substantive conclusions.