Dragonfly Pictures, Inc. (DPI) recently conducted a successful demonstration of its tethered unmanned aerial system (TUAS), showcasing its capabilities in mobility, endurance, and situational awareness.
The event was hosted at the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute (VTTI).
Data was collected to assess the current state of the art and identify paths forward for maturing systems and subsystems. The event is set to support future efforts under the U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command, Ground Vehicle Systems Center, Ground Vehicle Robotics.
During the event, DPI demonstrated takeoff, landing, and following while on the move across both smooth and rugged terrain. These flights required the tethered UAS to navigate various surface conditions, including smooth, straight roads, gravel, and dirt trails.
TUAS on both manned and unmanned platforms has the potential to enhance DoD capabilities by providing extended-range, high-bandwidth communications, improved situational awareness, and persistent overwatch with day and night camera capabilities. The tether enables continuous flight without the need to charge or change batteries.
