Bomber drones are suggested to be more effective in Taiwan's terrain because they can stay higher, maintaining line of sight and video feed, while still being able to carry larger payloads for strikes. This contrasts with smaller FPV drones that struggle to penetrate the dense canopy and limited line of sight.
This video discusses the significant challenges of operating drones in Taiwan's terrain compared to Ukraine. It highlights how dense foliage, mountainous landscapes, and urban environments in Taiwan impede drone visibility, communication, and operational effectiveness. The speaker shares experiences from a recent training exercise in Taiwan, contrasting it with previous deployments in Ukraine and offering insights into how drone tactics may need to adapt for such complex environments.
The terrain in Taiwan, characterized by dense jungle, rolling hills, and mountains, necessitates heavily dismounted operations for both infantry and drone teams. Infantry must move on foot to navigate the terrain and avoid detection by drones if using roads. Drone teams also face challenges with dismounted infiltration and exfiltration, carrying heavy FPV equipment up and down mountains, making operations more strenuous and requiring soldiers with good hiking capabilities. Drone recovery is also significantly more difficult, as drones can get lost in the dense canopy, making them hard to find and retrieve.
5.8 GHz frequency drones are less effective in Taiwan's environment due to the dense, wet canopy. The 5.8 GHz frequency, being a microwave, is significantly absorbed by water in the leaves, hindering signal penetration. This makes it difficult for these drones to maintain video and control feeds, scan targets effectively, or perform close-range kamikaze strikes, which is a problem less prevalent in Ukraine's sparser terrain.
The primary environmental difference is Taiwan's terrain, which features dense triple canopy forests, rolling mountains, and dense urban areas. This provides extensive overhead concealment. In contrast, Ukraine is largely described as open, flat fields with sparsely connected towns and tree lines, offering much greater visibility for drones. Additionally, Taiwan experiences tropical weather with potential for typhoons and hurricanes, making the environment more unpredictable, whereas Ukraine has a brutal winter where leaves fall off, increasing visibility.
