Autonomous Drone-Launching Security UGV Under Development

By Mike Ball / 28 Nov 2020

Smart Sourcing for Unmanned Systems

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

Autonomous security UGV launching drone

Stealth Technologies and Planck AeroSystems have entered into an agreement to develop a capability for Stealth’s autonomous unmanned ground vehicle (UGV) that will allow drones to autonomously launch from and land on the vehicle. The UGV is being developed for perimeter security applications in sectors such as transport, energy, defence, government and utilities.

Planck will provide its Autonomous Control Engine (ACE) system, an embedded software solution that uses machine vision, artificial intelligence and onboard sensors to allow unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) to autonomously launch and recover from a moving vehicle without GPS. Providing centimetre-level accuracy, the system accounts for motion of a vessel or ground vehicle, including roll, pitch, heave, and wind effects.

ACE is currently deployed with five US federal agencies, and with two allied nations. The system has controlled thousands of successful UAS sorties both at sea and from vehicles, on aircraft from many different manufacturers. Planck is working with the United States Department of Defense’s Combating Terrorism Technical Support Office (CTTSO), the United States Department of Defense and Department of Homeland Security on various aspects of its technology.

Stealth and Planck’s partnership will focus on enabling the UGV to launch and land drones, combining the long endurance of the UGV with the high speed and manoeuvrability of drones and providing a capability that is ideal for the needs of surveillance, reconnaissance, real-time situational awareness, and force protection. The unique perspectives of both platforms can be combined to give an expanded patrol and surveillance dataset, and enable more powerful AI use cases for mapping, navigation, object and person recognition, object and person tracking and scene reasoning.

The companies will also investigate the possibility of integrating tethered drones into the UGV, providing additional deployment options near to controlled airspaces and in areas that have safety requirements that would normally exclude drone operation such as airports and energy facilities.

Find manufacturers of UGVs >>

Posted by Mike Ball Mike Ball is our resident technical editor here at Unmanned Systems Technology. Combining his passion for teaching, advanced engineering and all things unmanned, Mike keeps a watchful eye over everything related to the unmanned technical sector. With over 10 years’ experience in the unmanned field and a degree in engineering, Mike’s been heading up our technical team here for the last 8 years. Connect & Contact

Latest Articles

GA-ASI Spotlights Advanced Uncrewed Systems at Paris 2025

General Atomics Aeronautical Systems is internationally showcasing a full-scale model of the company’s Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) at the Paris Air Show 2025 at Stand B-176, Hall 3

Jun 16, 2025
Cambridge Pixel Collaboration to Advance Police Forces C-UAS Technology

Cambridge Pixel and OpenWorks Engineering are collaborating to deliver adaptable counter-drone systems tailored for European law enforcement agencies

Jun 16, 2025
New Crewed-Uncrewed Teaming Solution for Airborne UAS Control

Airbus Helicopters has launched HTeaming, a modular crewed-uncrewed solution that enables helicopter crews to take full control of UAS while airborne

Jun 16, 2025
Neousys to Present Rugged Embedded Computers for UAVs at Paris Air Show

Neousys Technology and Factory Systemes will showcase IP69K edge AI computers and lightweight AI mission computers for drones and robotics at Paris Air Show 2025

Jun 16, 2025
New Autonomous Robot Streamlines Outdoor Data Collection Tasks

Canadian robotics company Optimotive introduces the IRIS MK2, a rugged autonomous robot built to automate data collection in demanding outdoor environments

Jun 16, 2025
Enhancing Point Cloud Accuracy with YellowScan’s New Smoothing Feature

YellowScan’s new Smoothing feature enhances point cloud data by reducing noise, improving accuracy, and preserving critical details for better geospatial analysis

Jun 16, 2025

Featured Content

MEMS DC Accelerometers from SDI Deliver Superior Performance for Unmanned Systems

SDI's MEMS DC accelerometers offer a robust solution for unmanned aerial, ground, and underwater vehicles, providing precise static and dynamic motion sensing, crucial for autonomous navigation, attitude feedback, and structural monitoring

Jun 12, 2025
Calian GNSS Unveils New Anti-Jamming CRPA with XF+ Filtering

Calian GNSS has introduced the CR8894SXF+, a compact CRPA antenna with in-band null forming and XF+ filtering for resilient GNSS performance in interference-prone environments

Jun 06, 2025
Honeywell Introduces HG3900 Tactical-Grade IMU with Enhanced Sensor Accuracy

Honeywell has introduced the HG3900 IMU, a MEMS-based device with tactical-grade accuracy, offering significant SWaP advantages for precision navigation systems

Jun 05, 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.