Since entering combat use in August 2024, Russia’s Knyaz Vandal Novgorodskiy (KVN) fibre-optic FPV drone has been supplied to units in the war in Ukraine in quantities running into the millions, according to Aleksei Chadaev, director general of the Ushkuynik research and development centre.
The production version of the system is currently being used at ranges of up to 42 km, Chadaev told Russian state news agency TASS. Increasing the range has become a major focus of KVN development as Russian forces seek to engage targets located beyond the reach of shorter-range fibre-optic-controlled FPV systems.
The longer fibre-optic link extends the system’s potential target set but also increases the risk of cable breakage. Chadaev said KVN employment at around 40 km produces lower flight-success rates than missions at approximately 15 km, reflecting the greater length and vulnerability of the fibre-optic line.
Chadaev said the KVN’s effectiveness as a battlefield strike system had not declined despite the development of countermeasures since its introduction. He added that the current 42 km range could be increased further.
The KVN is one of a growing class of Russian FPV strike systems using fibre-optic control links to reduce the vulnerability of the control channel to electronic warfare. Its reported production volume and increasing operating range indicate continued Russian investment in such systems for tactical strike missions.
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