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PLAYBOOK SLUG: FPV Drone School – Kosstutschenko
HEADLINE: Ukraine opens new training center for drone operators
TEASER:
PUBLISHED: 05/xx/2024 at
BYLINE: Anna Kosstutschenko
CONTRIBUTOR:
DATELINE: Kyiv, Ukraine
VIDEOGRAPHER: Pavel Suhodolskiy
VIDEO EDITOR: Pavel Suhodolskiy
SCRIPT EDITORS: KEnochs, Reifenrath
VIDEO SOURCE (S): VOA, Story Hunter
PLATFORMS (mark with X): WEB __ TV _X_ RADIO __
TRT: 3:34
TYPE: TVPKG
VID APPROVED BY: KE
VIDEO FOR REFERENCE:
EDITOR NOTES:
PLEASE RETURN TO ANNA RICE AND COPY TO HFR WHEN DONE))
((INTRO))
[[With artillery ammunition in short supply, Ukrainian fighters improvised and started using first-person view drones, or F-P-Vs, to target Russian troops. These camera-equipped drones pack less punch but can be much more precise in their targeting. Now a special training center for operators of these drones has opened in Kyiv. Anna Kosstutschenko has the story.]]
((NARRATION))
((NATS)) ((Man talking)) ((UKR))
“We are about to make it available for trainings 24/7, 365 days a year.”
((NARRATION))
Commander Oleh Romanov mid-April helped open this training hub for operators of first-person view drones, or FPV drones. Equipped with a camera, an FPV drone allow its pilot to see what it sees. Romanov, commander of the anti-tank battalion of the 3rd separate assault brigade.
Romanov, commander of the anti-tank battalion of the 3rd Separate Assault Brigade, had the idea to create the center when he saw other troops training on the shoulder-launched Javelin anti-tank missiles.
[[radio: Romanov says the whole time, the javelin guys were training on simulators, but the FPV fighters were not training. There was no hub for experience exchange or just for a regular training session.]]
((Oleh Romanov, Armed Forces of Ukraine)) ((UKR))
“The whole time, the javelin guys were training on simulators, but the FPV fighters were not training. There was no hub for experience exchange or just for a regular training session.”
((NARRATION))
The center teaches drone operators to navigate through rough terrain. Romanov tried to imitate real-life conditions by creating obstacle courses for the trainees.
((NATS)) ((Romanov talking)) ((UKR))
“The enemy hides in these ditches and pits or chooses buildings in the occupied villages as cover, so we designed a track that helps fighters learn how not to lose the drones and not crash them into walls.”
((NARRATION))
On day one of the hub’s opening, more than 300 people applied to take the course, coordinators say.
Veronika Bomko applied to join the FPV drone training because she wants to join Ukraine’s Armed Forces soon.
[[radio: She says she wanted to get into the 3rd Separate Assault Brigade. But was told that with no special training, she would not be very useful on the battlefield.]]
((Veronika Bomko, FPV Drone Training Applicant)) ((female, UKR))
“I wanted to get into the 3rd Separate Assault Brigade, but I was told that with no special training, I will not be very useful on the battlefield.”
((NARRATION))
For now, Bomko is training with a simulator. She already has the first tank hit, even though for now, it’s virtual.
((NATS)) ((Bang!))
((NARRATION))
These simulators were designed by Ukrainian developers and include practice in skills like assembling drones and ammunition.
The instructor, who goes by call sign Andres, is former military. In
((Mandatory courtesy: Call sign Andres))
March 2022, he wounded his right hand during the defense of Mariupol. Rehabilitation took over
((End courtesy))
a year, and his hand never fully recovered.
[[radio: Andres says he wanted to return to military service, but his health deteriorated after the injury. He realized he would not be able to serve the way he did, so he started looking into what else he could do to help. And since the FPV is now the most effective weapon on the front lines, he got interested in FPV assembly.]]
((Call Sign Andres, FPV Drone Training Instructor)) ((UKR))
“I wanted to return to the military service, but after the injury, my health deteriorated. I realized I would not be able to serve the way I did, so I started looking into what else I could do to help.
And since the FPV is now the most effective weapon on the front lines, I got interested in FPV assembly.”
((NARRATION))
Training also includes a mandatory theoretical component. That includes a special manual based on real military experience. This soldier — call sign Turbo — says the program is as close to the real thing as they could get.
[[radio: He says they created a program to give people basic information based on the combat use of FPV. This is what they will need during the war.]]
((Call Sign Turbo, FPV Drone Training Instructor)) ((UKR))
“We created a program to give people basic information based on the combat use of FPV – this is what they will need during the war.”
((NARRATION))
The intensive training lasts one a week. After that, students take the theoretical and practical exams. Then they’re ready for duty.
((Anna Kosstutschenko, VOA News, Kyiv, Ukraine))
NewsML Media TopicsArts, Culture, Entertainment and Media
Subtitles / Dubbing AvailableNo
NetworkVOA
Embargo DateMay 14, 2024 09:13 EDT
BylineAnna Kosstutschenko
Brand / Language ServiceVoice of America - English
