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OKB Alpha developing Russia's first fixed-wing fiber-optic UAV: 50 km range, 6.5–8 kg payload

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OKB Alpha’s chief technical specialist confirmed to TASS the development of a fixed-wing fiber-optic UAV described as an advanced Molniya analog — claimed to be the first aircraft-type drone in Russia to use fiber-optic communications. Parameters cited: up to 50 km operational radius over fiber with no reduction in lift capacity, carrying the same 6.5–8 kg payload as a conventional fixed-wing of the same class. Simultaneously, footage emerged from the Lyman area of Donetsk oblast showing a matching fixed-wing airframe trailing a fiber-optic cable over a road. Supporting the broader expansion of this technology family, the OVS-1 optical media converter — already shipping to the field for the Sova, Kuznechik, and Nit relay systems — enables 20 km fiber-controlled operations from a remote TX unit, suggesting fiber-guided architecture is extending across multiple airframe types.

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Topicsdronescomponentselectronic warfare

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