Ukrainian drone maker pitches new five-inch strike FPV as assault squad's mortar

Ukrainian drone manufacturer F-Drones has introduced a new five-inch strike FPV drone designed to give infantry assault squads an alternative to heavier weapons such as mortars.

The new model, designated F5, can carry a payload of up to one kilogram, a capacity the company says makes it suitable as a precise strike tool in close combat. According to the manufacturer, the drone's compact size allows several units to be fitted into a single rucksack, letting soldiers carry multiple strike drones without significant extra burden.

Fiber-optic control

One of the F5's key features is its fiber-optic control system. This approach offers resistance to electronic warfare, since the link between drone and operator runs through a physical cable rather than a radio signal, making it far harder for enemy jamming equipment to disrupt.

The manufacturer states that, when flown on fiber, the F5 has a range of up to six kilometers, allowing it to be used both close to the front line and somewhat deeper into enemy positions.

Positioned as a mortar replacement

F-Drones is marketing the new drone as an assault squad's mortar — a tool that lets infantry units carry out precise strikes on their own, without waiting for artillery or other heavy-weapon support. The pitch reflects a broader trend within Ukraine's armed forces, where small FPV drones are increasingly substituting for traditional artillery and mortar rounds in close-range engagements, helping conserve costly munitions and reduce risk to operators.