Fiber Optic FPV Drones Force Israel and U.S. Army to Rethink ...
AI Analysis
Fiber optic-guided FPV drones pose a new threat to both Israel and the U.S. military, rendering traditional RF-based counter-UAS systems ineffective. This has prompted urgent efforts to develop kinetic solutions, with the U.S. Army significantly investing in Smart Shooter's SMASH fire control system for soldier-level drone defense. The technology, previously seen in Ukraine, is now spreading to other conflict zones.
Key Takeaways
- Fiber optic FPV drones are immune to traditional jamming and spoofing techniques.
- These drones have been used in attacks against IDF armored vehicles and personnel, resulting in casualties.
- The U.S. Army awarded Smart Shooter a $10.7 million follow-on contract for the SMASH 2000LE fire control system.
- SMASH utilizes AI and computer vision to enable precise engagement of small UAS with standard rifles.
- The U.S. Army, Marine Corps, and Air Force are all procuring SMASH systems, indicating a widespread need for this capability.
Why It Matters
The emergence of fiber optic-guided drones represents a significant escalation in drone warfare, requiring a shift towards kinetic counter-UAS solutions. The rapid procurement of SMASH by multiple U.S. military branches demonstrates the urgency of addressing this threat and the recognition of soldier-level defenses as critical. This trend will likely drive further investment in similar systems and tactics.
Fiber Optic FPV Drones Force Israel and U.S. Army to Rethink Soldier-Level Counter-UAS Solutions - Autonomy Global
SMASH C-UAV
By Arie Egozi, Autonomy Global — Ambassador for Israel
Israel’s Ministry of Defense and Israeli defense industries are deep into an urgent effort to counter fiber optic-controlled FPV drones. This threat has already killed Israeli soldiers and civilians and exposed a critical gap in current close-range protection. For now, a soldier’s assault rifle remains the only effective weapon against this threat, meaning the first shot must count.
The Fiber Optic FPV Threat
FPV drone attacks have ramped up on global battlefields. They have struck IDF Merkava tanks, Namer and Eitan APCs and personnel carriers. These small, fast quadcopters carry explosives including PG-7 HEAT warheads and anti-tank missiles, with some variants using fiber-optic tethering that replaces standard radio frequencies. This makes them effectively immune to electronic jamming. According to sources, some of these systems have FPV technology explicitly linked to anti-tank missile integration.
Why Fiber Optic Changes Everything
Traditional counter-UAS systems rely on jamming or spoofing RF signals, an approach rendered ineffective against fiber optic-guided FPVs, which transmit video and control data via a physical tether cable. This technology, battle-tested extensively in the Russia-Ukraine war for precision strikes, reconnaissance, and urban operations has now migrated to other theaters with devastating results.
Smart Shooter’s SMASH: The Kinetic Answer
Israeli company Smart Shooter has received a follow-on U.S. Army contract valued at approximately $10.7 million for its SMASH 2000LE (also designated SMASH 3000SA) fire control systems, with delivery scheduled for the third quarter of 2026. The award, issued through PAE Defensive Fires and executed through Atlantic Diving Supply, Inc. (ADS Inc.), recognizes SMASH as the only kinetic solution for individual soldiers, marines, and airmen against small drone threats.
A Growing U.S. Military Footprint
This latest award follows a rapid succession of U.S. defense procurements: a May 2025 U.S. Army contract, a July 2025 U.S. Marine Corps contract, and a March 2026 contract with JIATF-401 for the USAF, expanding SMASH fielding across all major branches of the U.S. military. The SMASH 2000LE integrates advanced computer vision, AI and target-tracking algorithms into a lightweight, rifle-mounted fire control system, enabling operators to detect, track, and precisely engage aerial targets including small UAS.
Smart Shooter CEO Michal Mor stated: “This follow-on U.S. Army award underscores the growing operational need for effective soldier-level counter-UAS capabilities and reflects continued confidence in SMASH systems from U.S. defense organizations.” The SMASH family is currently deployed by defense and security forces across the United States, Israel, the UK, Germany, and multiple NATO member