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by causality0 1151 days ago
The RC control channel is unencrypted and the video feed is analog.

This is completely wrong, as long as you're talking about the most common drones in Ukraine, the DJI Mavic Mini and Mini 2.

https://www.diva-portal.org/smash/get/diva2:1607790/FULLTEXT...

1 comments

While I'm sure there are some DJIs being used for recon, my understanding of the situation is that the overwhelming majority of drones used as guidance / delivery systems for munitions are hobbyist style DIY fpv drones. They are less expensive, have significantly higher payload carry capability and can be constructed from more generally available and interchangeable components[1][2][3]

For these types of drones all the consumer and FOSS control links are unencrypted and critically vulnerable to frequency hopping hijacking attacks [4]

The video and control for all of these systems (including DJI) can be disrupted by jamming consumer and hobbyist frequencies; 300-975mhz, 2.4ghz, and 5.8ghz.

As with any information coming from active modern war zones, the incidence of misinformation, disinformation and propaganda will be high.

[1]https://www.forbes.com/sites/davidhambling/2023/03/24/russia...

[2]https://www.economist.com/the-economist-explains/2023/03/24/...

[3]https://dronedj.com/2023/03/01/ukraine-reportedly-assembles-...

[4]https://www.vox.com/2016/10/28/13406082/hackers-control-cons...