Dragonfly Pictures, Inc.‘s (DPI) UMAR tethered Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) has been developed to enhance over-the-horizon (OTH) communications and situational awareness for naval and joint force operations.
Functioning as a modern-day “Crow’s Nest,” UMAR extends communications range for off-board assets, including Mine Hunting Unit (MHU) Unmanned Surface Vehicles (USVs) and Unmanned Underwater Vehicles (UUVs), by lifting antennas to 500 feet for 360-degree coverage.
The system significantly increases operational range—up to two to three times the current limits—while its tether provides continuous power and secure fiber optic communications. Designed for minimal operator input, UMAR seamlessly integrates with Department of Defense platforms, offering a cost-effective solution for enhanced maritime operations.
Navy Requirements
The Navy has emphasized the need to enhance situational awareness and maintain reliable communications beyond the horizon, where the earth’s curvature limits persistent connectivity. Additionally, greater standoff operational range and increased host ship maneuverability are key priorities for unmanned surface vehicle mine-sweeping operations.
UMAR extends a ship’s influence through a high-bandwidth OTH datalink that seamlessly integrates with existing system architecture. This capability expands the operational range of current MHU unmanned surface vessels by two to three times and increases the sweep area significantly
Requiring minimal training and maintenance, UMAR automatically tracks and follows the host ship’s platform, with operator commands limited to takeoff, landing, and altitude adjustments. It also features payload adaptability, allowing integration of cameras, signals intelligence payloads, and other sensors for persistent overwatch.
Key Developments
Initially developed under a Navy SBIR, UMAR has been miniaturized as a tethered UAS and deployed to the Army and Marine Corps. The Army employs the technology for signal intelligence, tethered to the Multi-Utility Tactical Transport System (MUTT), while the USMC, in collaboration with SPAWAR, has acquired two UMAR systems for physical security applications.
Designed as a modular, portable shipboard installation, UMAR can be easily adapted to different vessel types and mission profiles, providing OTH communications and enhanced situational awareness. Capable of carrying various payloads up to an altitude of 500 feet, Dragonfly Pictures is actively working with General Dynamics to integrate the system with the MUTT platform.
Joseph S. Pawelczyk, VP Operations, DPI, commented, “The Navy SBIR program offices continue to provide leadership and guidance from conceptual design through transition to the fleet. They have provided us with the support (programmatic, technical, and risk reduction) required for transition to the sailor.”
