Attacking Enemy With FPV Drones: Ukraine Develops GOGOL-M Carrier-Drone

In Ukraine, the domestically developed GOGOL-M unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), designed as a carrier for FPV drones, has been successfully deployed in combat operations.

The Brave1 cluster reported that the FPV drones had autonomously performed target acquisition and engagement, having utilized advanced artificial intelligence systems.

This solution features a reusable mothership drone, GOGOL-M, capable of delivering two strike FPV drones to operational distances of up to 300 kilometers.

These drones, developed by Strategy Force Solutions, are capable of autonomously detecting and engaging precise targets — ranging from parked aircraft to air defense systems and military infrastructure. For missions up to 100 km one way, the carrier drone returns to base for reuse.

“The cost of a single flight using two deployed drones is approximately $10,000,” noted Brave1.

The entire system operates without GPS — thanks to SmartPilot, which is based on visual-inertial navigation. Cameras serve as the primary sensors, while LIDAR is used as a supplementary component. The system also provides target recognition capabilities.

“In a way, it’s similar to an unmanned vehicle. It requires multiple cameras for autopilot to function properly. There are fewer obstacles in the air, but we wanted the system to be lightweight. This led us to a configuration with cameras, LIDAR, and communication systems that enable artificial intelligence to navigate, coordinate, and maneuver around obstacles,” explains the developer.

LIDAR builds a 3D map of the terrain and operates effectively under all lighting and weather conditions. Another key feature of SmartPilot is the artificial intelligence that fuses data from multiple sensors.

“SmartPilot employs a multisensor fusion approach, integrating data to perceive the environment and recognize targets,” says Andrii.

This system enables the artificial intelligence to make decisions, plot flight trajectories, and carry out missions just like a human pilot.

“Creating SmartPilot was a true challenge — how to simulate drone flight as if it were controlled by an operator. How to maneuver between obstacles while considering limited processor capabilities and operating in real-time,” added a representative of Strategy Force Solutions.

Previously, the ‘Ronins’ unit struck Russian equipment with drones at a distance of over 35 kilometers. Operators successfully deployed ten strike FPV drones at long range, preventing the enemy forces from moving their equipment out of harm’s way.