A Russian tank anti-FPV drone system, made of fiberglass composite material, has officially applied for a patent?
Recently, Russia applied for a patent for an anti-FPV drone system called "Dandelion." When applied to tanks, this system resembles large dandelions planted on the hull. However, these "dandelions" are made of fiberglass composite material.
In the Russia-Ukraine conflict, drones have become a veritable "natural enemy" of armored vehicles. Both sides are trying to find ways to mitigate the damage caused by drone attacks. To defend against Ukrainian drone strikes, Russia at one point covered some important road sections with netting, using a large net to protect vehicles traveling on those sections. Russia has also devised numerous methods for protecting mobile armored forces. Initially, to counter the threat of Ukrainian drones, Russia welded metal grilles onto some armored vehicles, and later welded on devices resembling steel wire clusters, making the armored vehicles look like hedgehogs. These devices were effective to some extent, but new problems arose. First, metal materials are inherently heavy, increasing vehicle weight, especially the turret, thus affecting armored vehicle mobility and turret rotation. Second, the rigidity of the grille makes it vulnerable to obstruction by buildings or branches in urban or forested environments, hindering its movement. To address battlefield needs, Russia improved this device, resulting in the "Dandelion" anti-FPV drone system.
In this system, the "Dandelion's" branches are made of fiberglass composite material, ensuring strength while reducing weight. A single "Dandelion" unit weighs only 1/3 to 1/4 of a metal grille, facilitating armored vehicle mobility. Because of its fiberglass material, which possesses a degree of flexibility, coupled with its unique multi-layered branching and upward-forking layout, the "Dandelion" can deform and pass through relatively narrow environments and is less prone to snagging or obstruction by branches in forested areas.
The close spacing of the fiberglass grille composed of these branches can block attacks from grenades, mortar shells, or loitering munitions dropped by drones. Thanks to its modular design, the "Dandelion" anti-FPV drone system can be installed on armored vehicles in just 15 minutes. With no electric drive, no electromagnetic signals, effective reduction in logistical support, and significant protective effects, this low-cost solution was quickly accepted by Russian military personnel, and some civilian vehicles have also begun to be equipped with the system.
