Ukraine Fields $442 AI FPV Drones That Hunt Faces and Fire EFP Slugs

3 articles · Updated · Forbes · May 19

Russian military bloggers say Ukraine has begun using FPV drones with thermal imaging and AI facial targeting, citing videos that appear to show a Russian soldier killed by a precise strike.
The drones appear to use explosively formed projectile warheads detonated about 20 meters away, letting them fire a metal slug through cages, netting and other protections that blunt impact-triggered FPVs.
That setup demands exact timing and aim, making AI guidance a plausible enabler; autonomy modules are marketed as lifting FPV hit rates to about 80% from 40%, with basic systems costing around $442.
Ukraine plans to produce about 7 million FPVs this year and has made killing Russian infantry a priority, with drone commanders openly aiming to outpace recruitment of more than 30,000 troops a month.
The claims remain unverified, and it is unclear whether the drones truly prioritize head shots or how effective they are versus standard FPVs, but the reports point to a new anti-personnel drone threat.

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