Elistair outlines four operational advantages of combining tethered drones with Unmanned Ground Vehicles (UGVs) for defense missions. Learn more >>
Mounted directly on a UGV, a tethered drone can connect to a power source through its tether and maintain uninterrupted data transmission, providing persistent aerial visibility as the ground platform moves through hazardous or contested terrain.
The integrated configuration supports coordinated reconnaissance by combining ground operations with real-time aerial intelligence. It can also act as a force multiplier by reducing the need to deploy personnel in high-risk areas, extending operational reach, and allowing troops to focus on strategic maneuvers.
Additional advantages include broader mission capabilities and increased autonomy. UGVs provide mobility across difficult terrain, while tethered drones offer an elevated observation point. Artificial intelligence can support obstacle detection, route planning, predictive analysis, and task coordination between aerial and ground systems.
Elistair has demonstrated this approach through integrations with Milrem Robotics and ARX Robotics. The Khronos tethered dronebox has been integrated with a Milrem ground vehicle to support continuous surveillance, including operations in GNSS-denied environments. In a separate collaboration, the ARX Robotics GEREON RCS UGV and Elistair’s Khronos system demonstrated navigation across complex terrain and ISR capabilities with minimal human intervention.
