A simple Russian innovation, displayed at the UMEX 2026 expo in Abu Dhabi, may change the nature of drone warfare by making it less susceptible to counter-drone operations.
Currently, an important facet of counter-drone warfare involves eliminating drone piloting teams as a higher priority than eliminating the drone itself. After all, drone operators are far more difficult to replace than drones.
The tactic involves pinpointing the location of adversary drone operators as soon as a drone is spotted, and immediately launching strikes against the team using precision-guided munitions (PGMs).
Simple triangulation of control telemetry can help pinpoint the location of drone operators.
At UMEX 2026, the developer and manufacturer of the Supercam 350M reconnaissance UAV—the Unmanned Systems Group of Companies—showcased technology that facilitates piloting drones not only from outside the adversary’s counter-fire zone, but from virtually anywhere in the world.
The innovation involves placing a well-protected communications antenna and modem at the drone’s launch point. Drone control commands travel to the launch point over a low-latency communication link, from where they are relayed to the drone using RF telemetry. The low latency of the link facilitates real-time control, allowing operators to leverage the drone’s full combat capability.
Presumably, low latency is ensured through the exclusive use of terrestrial overland and undersea cables, rather than satellites in geostationary orbit.
Field technicians set up the launch point, launch the drone, and later recover it.
It is claimed that Russian forces have operationally tested the technology extensively while fighting Ukrainian forces.
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