The datalink is the connection between operator (or network) and aircraft. There are usually two streams: a C2 link (command & control — the steering) and a separate video downlink. The link type sets the range and — crucial for counter-UAS — whether and how the drone can be disrupted or located.
| Control type | Carrier | Range / trait | Vulnerability |
|---|---|---|---|
| Direct RF radio (LOS) | Radio waves, line of sight | A few km up to ~20 km; standard for FPV/COTS | Jamming; direction finding (DF) reveals the operator's position |
| Fibre-optic | Physical optical cable on a spool | ~10–20 km; no RF signature | Immune to jamming; but cable break/snagging, limited range |
| SATCOM (BLOS) | Satellite, beyond line of sight | Intercontinental; once only MALE/HALE, now small drones too via LEO constellations (Starlink) — see 1.8 | Jamming of the satellite link; depends on who runs the network (whitelist, speed limit) |
| Relay / mesh | Relay node (e.g. mothership) or mesh modem | Extends small-FPV range to 40+ km | Killing the relay cuts the chain |
| Pre-programmed / link-less | No live link after launch | Unbounded by link range (e.g. Shahed) | Cannot be jammed — no link to disrupt; but navigation can be attacked (see 1.5) |
Key point
Electronic warfare targets the link. The less a drone depends on a live radio connection — fibre-optic, pre-programmed, autonomous — the less grip jamming has. This explains the rise of fibre-optic FPVs (see Chapter 4.2).