Skate SUAS Wins Border Security Product Challenge Award

By Caroline Rees / 20 Mar 2012

Smart Sourcing for Unmanned Systems

Discover cutting-edge solutions from leading global suppliers
SUPPLIER SPOTLIGHT
Follow UST

Aurora Skate UAVAurora’s Skate small unmanned air vehicle system (SUAS) was awarded first place in the 2012 Border Security Technology/Product Challenge at the recently held 2012 Border Security Expo in Phoenix, Arizona. The top prize is awarded to a technology or product that best demonstrates innovation in the border security arena.

“Aurora is very proud to have won this prestigious award,” said Carl Schaefer, Director of Small UAS Products at Aurora. “The Skate SUAS is an ideal platform for gathering secure, real-time intelligence and surveillance data to assist the Department of Homeland Security in accomplishing its mission of securing our borders and stemming the flow of contraband.”

The Skate SUAS is an electric-powered, lightweight, portable system that easily fits in a small rucksack. Its modular design enables assembly and launch in less than two minutes. Its unique VTOL capabilities allow it to be launched and recovered from urban areas, confined spaces, and vehicles, with no dedicated launch or recovery equipment. With an endurance of over one hour, speeds from hover to over 50 knots, and a total air vehicle weight of only two pounds, Skate can carry a variety of available payloads to areas of interest up to five kilometers away. Available payloads include full-motion color video payload pods; Electro Optical (EO)/Infrared (IR) payload pods with Long Wave IR (LWIR) cameras with resolutions up to 640 lines; and high definition (HD) video payload pods capable of recording video at 1080p and taking still photographs with 5 megapixel resolution. Payload pods are swappable in less than one minute, allowing the operator to tailor the Skate system to rapidly changing mission needs.

The Skate system uses a Digital Data Link (DDL) to securely transmit both video and data up to 5 km from the ground control station (GCS). AES128/AES256 key encryption and a variety of operational frequencies are available.

Skate’s GCS supports fully autonomous waypoint navigation as well as stabilized, “fly-the-camera” manual flight control. The hand controller included with the system uses a high resolution, daylight viewable, on-screen display that does not require a hood to view video in bright daylight.

Posted by Caroline Rees Caroline co-founded Unmanned Systems Technology and has been at the forefront of the business ever since. With a Masters Degree in marketing Caroline has her finger on the pulse of all things unmanned and is committed to showcasing the very latest in unmanned technical innovation. Connect & Contact

Latest Articles

High-Energy Density Batteries for Drones & Robotic Vehicles

The SCIO Brick® platform offers industry-leading energy density in a compact and lightweight footprint, and can be scaled to meet high-voltage requirements

Jul 12, 2025
Most Read Articles on UST This Week

Here’s our round-up of the five most read articles on UnmannedSystemsTechnology.com this week

Jul 11, 2025
Vertiq Speed Firmware v0.1.1 Now Available with Bug Fixes

Vertiq has released firmware v0.1.1 to correct a parameter bug affecting telemetry and 3D mode settings on select G1 and G2 modules

Jul 11, 2025
The Role of ROVs in Unmanned Marine Operations

Oceanbotics has answered the most common questions about ROVs, covering how they work, where they're used, and key capabilities

Jul 11, 2025
LiveU File Transfer Speeds Up Drone Data Delivery for Critical Missions

LiveU’s File Transfer enables rapid transmission of large drone data files, reducing delays and supporting faster decision-making in public safety and infrastructure operations.

Jul 11, 2025
Exploring Differences Between M9PLUS & M9 GNSS Antennas

Discover the key upgrades in Maxtena’s new M9PLUS GNSS antenna, including improved performance, signal purity, and multipath mitigation over the original M9

Jul 11, 2025

Featured Content

USAF Uses Inertial Labs Drone Lidar for Tree Obstruction Survey

The US Air Force successfully used Inertial Labs drone Lidar and cloud software to quickly map tree obstructions at Joint Base Lewis-McChord (JBLM), improving airfield safety

Jul 11, 2025
New UAV to Combine Solar Hydrogen & Battery Power for Extended Flight

XSun and H3 Dynamics are developing the first UAV powered by solar, hydrogen, and batteries, aiming to deliver zero-emission, long-endurance unmanned flight

Jul 07, 2025
Enhancing Mangrove Restoration Through 3D Printed Drone Design

Explore how Inverto Earth, in collaboration with HP Additive, is using sustainable 3D printing and drone technology to drive large-scale mangrove restoration and protect vulnerable coastal ecosystems

Jul 03, 2025
Advancing Unmanned Systems Through Strategic Collaboration UST works with major OEMs to foster collaboration and increase engagement with SMEs, to accelerate innovation and drive unmanned systems capabilities forward.