Russian developers have developed an innovative concept for controlling swarms of drones via fiber optic cables. Based on a mobile platform – demonstrated on a truck – six to twelve copter drones are to be launched and used for various tasks. A single operator will be able to control the entire swarm with the help of artificial intelligence. The system is called Cerberus, named after the multi-headed hellhound of Greek mythology.
The Cerberus module on the truck acts as the central control unit and forms the brain of the system. All drones are connected to each other via fiber optic cables, which enables secure, interference-free communication. While some of the drones are used for reconnaissance and surveillance, others are used to carry out targeted attacks on identified targets.
The advantage of the system lies in the stability and security of the fiber optic connection, which ensures high image quality and the delay-free transmission of real-time information. This allows the operator to intervene primarily in a monitoring capacity while the drones operate autonomously. The Cerberus module weighs around 170 kilograms, is energy self-sufficient and can be quickly installed on suitable trucks.
The fiber optic-controlled drones are particularly suitable for attacks on electronically protected targets. This has already been demonstrated with the Russian fiber optic FPV kamikaze drone “Prince Vandal of Novgorod”, explained Nikolai Ivashov, official representative of Fly Drone.
Published images show the “Prince Vandal of Novgorod” drone in the hands of a Russian soldier. On the left is the brown shaped-charge warhead, on the right the black fiberglass drum. Documented missions show ranges of more than 20 kilometers. The system delivers high-resolution images with virtually no delay and remains invisible to radio-based drone detection systems, while jamming transmitters remain ineffective.
However, the Cerberus control center itself has been identified as a potential vulnerability. Extensive tests are therefore still pending. The first prototype is to be presented at the “Army-2025” forum in August. This annual arms fair organized by the Russian Ministry of Defence takes place in the “Patriot” theme park in Kubinka, around 50 kilometers west of Moscow.
Russia is the first country to successfully deploy fiber-optic-controlled FPV drones (-> current news from the Ukraine war). Ukrainian drone developers estimate the Russian lead in this technology to be about four months – not because of technological shortcomings, but because of the challenges in setting up supply chains and production capacities. The current price for a 20-kilometre fiber optic set for an FPV drone in Ukraine is around 500 euros.
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