The new HV VTX Pro video transmitter from the Wild Hornets company has passed tests by Ukraine’s Ministry of Defence. The module provides a more stable video link and improves resistance to electronic warfare (EW) interference. The company reported this on social media.
The tests were carried out by specialists from the State Research Institute for Testing and Certification of Armaments and Military Equipment together with the Ministry of Defence’s Directorate for State Quality Assurance. The commission checked the transmitter’s performance on three types of unmanned aircraft: the Sting interceptor drone, the Queen of Hornets cargo platform, and the Wild Hornets Digital anti-aircraft UAV with the Hornet Vision Ctrl control system.
The company noted that the inspection results showed that using the HV VTX Pro not only provides a more robust video link, but also improves the drones’ tactical and technical performance.
The new module has become part of an update to the Hornet Vision digital system. It is responsible for transmitting the video signal from the unmanned aircraft’s camera to the control station or the pilot’s goggles. The developers said they managed to more than double the video transmitter’s maximum power output — to 4 W. The company said this should ensure a clear digital video signal even in a congested radio environment.
Increasing the transmitter’s power expands the effective operating range of strike and anti-aircraft FPV drones and improves engagement of targets moving at low altitudes, the developers explained. According to their estimates, the operating range of interceptor drones and strike FPV drones with omnidirectional antennas could increase from about 20 to 30 km, while effectiveness against low-altitude targets could rise by at least 20%.
If a directional antenna is used, the effective communications range may increase even further. At the same time, the drone’s maximum operating range will largely depend on its battery capacity.
The developers said HV VTX Pro video transmitters have already been launched into mass production and are being integrated into Wild Hornets drones.
Recently, Wild Hornets reported shooting down 10 jet-powered Geran-5 drones with the new Sting S interceptor.