Vantage Robotics has announced the launch of Trace, an ultra-compact nano drone engineered to meet the needs of national security, law enforcement, and critical infrastructure operators.
Trace is an American-made nano UAS (unmanned aerial system) designed to provide the field with a trusted, portable, and cost-effective solution that delivers the performance of much larger systems.
After four years of rigorous innovation and testing in collaboration with the Department of Defense (DoD) and law enforcement, Trace sets a new standard in intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) for sUAS.
Trace is Vantage’s latest innovation, offering a powerful nano drone solution that excels in safety, detectability, and portability. At just 153 grams, it operates below the FAA’s safe weight threshold, making it accessible to a broad range of users across multiple settings without compromising safety or performance.
Key Features
Safety: Weighing only 153 grams, Trace is well below the FAA’s safe weight limits, making it ideal for use in sensitive environments.
Stealth: Equipped with a gimbal-stabilized thermal camera and 48 MP EO camera with 24x zoom, Trace offers near-silent operation for covert missions in all lighting conditions.
Indoor and Confined Space Operation: Measuring just 12 inches across in flight, Trace navigates tight spaces using seven laser range-finding sensors and full position control without GPS.
Portability: Trace fits into a small backpack with its Vision2 GCS and IP-67 field case, making it a highly portable tool for tactical operations.
Specifications
Trace’s impressive performance rivals much larger UAS. Despite its compact size, the drone operates in winds up to 25 knots and offers a flight time of over 30 minutes on a standard battery, extendable to 45 minutes with an endurance battery.
Built with a carbon fiber and titanium airframe and featuring IP-53 weatherproofing, Trace is designed to withstand challenging operational environments. Its proprietary Poplar radio ensures secure communications with dynamic frequency hopping and AES-256 encryption, maintaining a strong link over distances up to 2 kilometers.
With advanced AI capabilities, Trace and its Vision2 controller provide object classification and tracking, making it ideal for ISR operations. The drone’s 22-gram 2-axis stabilized EO/IR camera and folded-PCBA airframe are among the patent-pending technologies that enable these groundbreaking features.
Applications
- National security operations
- Critical infrastructure management
- Law enforcement missions
- Indoor and confined space reconnaissance
- Tactical field operations
Vantage Robotics has been at the forefront of UAV innovation for over a decade, serving the world’s most demanding customers, including the US DoD, SOCOM, DHS, and law enforcement agencies. Trace builds on Vantage’s legacy of advanced UAS, including Snap, Vesper, and Vision2, continuing the company’s tradition of creating cutting-edge solutions for critical missions.
Trace is now available for select customers. For more information, contact [email protected]
