[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row disabled_on=”off|off|on” _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” width=”60%” width_tablet=”90%” width_phone=”90%” width_last_edited=”on|phone” custom_margin_tablet=”” custom_margin_phone=”” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|desktop” custom_padding=”5px||15px||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_text disabled_on=”off|off|off” _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _dynamic_attributes=”content” _module_preset=”default” text_font=”GT America Extended Regular||||||||” text_text_color=”#FFFFFF” text_font_size=”16px” custom_margin=”0px||0px||false|false” custom_margin_tablet=”0px||0px||false|false” custom_margin_phone=”0px||0px||false|false” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|phone” custom_padding=”0px||0px||false|false” inline_fonts=”GT America Extended Medium,GT America Extended Light Italic,GT America Extended Light,GT America Extended Regular” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”]@ET-DC@eyJkeW5hbWljIjp0cnVlLCJjb250ZW50IjoicG9zdF9kYXRlIiwic2V0dGluZ3MiOnsiYmVmb3JlIjoiRWxpc3RhaXIgVGVhbSB8ICIsImFmdGVyIjoiIHwgMTIgbWluIiwiZGF0ZV9mb3JtYXQiOiJjdXN0b20iLCJjdXN0b21fZGF0ZV9mb3JtYXQiOiJqIE0gWSJ9fQ==@[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_3,1_3,1_3″ disabled_on=”on|on|off” _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” width=”60%” width_tablet=”50%” width_phone=”50%” width_last_edited=”on|phone” custom_margin_tablet=”” custom_margin_phone=”” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|phone” custom_padding=”5px||15px||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_blurb image=”https:\/\/elistair.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/ELISTAIR-icon-low-res.png” icon_placement=”left” image_icon_width=”85%” disabled_on=”off|off|off” _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” body_font=”GT America Extended Regular||||||||” body_text_color=”#FFFFFF” body_font_size=”16px” image_icon_custom_margin=”|-20px||0px|false|false” custom_margin=”|25px|||false|false” custom_margin_tablet=”” custom_margin_phone=”” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|tablet” custom_css_blurb_image=”.et_pb_only_image_mode_wrap {|| width: 100px!important;||}” border_radii_image=”on|100px|100px|100px|100px” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”]
\nElistair Team[\/et_pb_blurb][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_blurb use_icon=”on” font_icon=”||fa||400″ icon_color=”#FFFFFF” icon_placement=”left” image_icon_width=”18px” disabled_on=”off|off|off” _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _dynamic_attributes=”content” _module_preset=”default” body_font=”GT America Extended Regular||||||||” body_text_color=”#FFFFFF” body_font_size=”16px” image_icon_custom_margin=”|||10px|false|false” width=”70%” custom_margin=”23px|25px||0px|false|false” custom_margin_tablet=”23px|||-170px|false|false” custom_margin_phone=”0px|||0px|false|false” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|desktop” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”]@ET-DC@eyJkeW5hbWljIjp0cnVlLCJjb250ZW50IjoicG9zdF9kYXRlIiwic2V0dGluZ3MiOnsiYmVmb3JlIjoiIiwiYWZ0ZXIiOiIiLCJkYXRlX2Zvcm1hdCI6ImN1c3RvbSIsImN1c3RvbV9kYXRlX2Zvcm1hdCI6ImogTSBZIn19@[\/et_pb_blurb][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_blurb use_icon=”on” font_icon=”}||divi||400″ icon_color=”#FFFFFF” icon_placement=”left” image_icon_width=”19px” disabled_on=”off|off|off” _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” body_font=”GT America Extended Regular||||||||” body_text_color=”#FFFFFF” body_font_size=”16px” image_icon_custom_margin=”|||10px|false|false” width=”70%” custom_margin=”23px|||-90px|false|false” custom_margin_tablet=”23px|||-150px|false|false” custom_margin_phone=”0px|||0px|false|false” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|phone” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”]<\/p>\n
12 minutes<\/p>\n
[\/et_pb_blurb][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ disabled_on=”off|off|off” _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”20px||0px||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” width=”60%” width_tablet=”90%” width_phone=”90%” width_last_edited=”on|tablet” custom_padding=”20px||20px||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_text content_last_edited=”off|desktop” module_class=”socialnetworkcustomshare” _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” text_font=”GT America Extended Regular||||||||” text_text_color=”#1E1E1E” text_font_size=”20px” custom_margin_tablet=”|-30px|||false|false” custom_margin_phone=”|0px|||false|false” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|phone” text_font_size_tablet=”20px” text_font_size_phone=”18px” text_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”]<\/p>\n
Share the article<\/p>\n
[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”15px||0px||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” width=”60%” width_tablet=”90%” width_phone=”90%” width_last_edited=”on|desktop” custom_margin=”0px||||false|false” custom_padding=”0px||||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” text_text_color=”#1E1E1E” text_font_size=”18px” text_line_height=”1.8em” header_2_font=”GT America Extended Regular||||||||” header_2_text_color=”#000000″ header_2_font_size=”34px” header_2_line_height=”1.2em” header_3_font=”GT America Extended Medium||||||||” header_3_text_color=”#000000″ hover_enabled=”0″ inline_fonts=”GT America Extended Ultra Light Italic,GT America Extended Light Italic,GT America Extended Medium,GT America Extended Regular” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content” sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n
Tethered aerostat systems and tethered drone are both excellent tools for conducting aerial surveillance. The unique characteristics of these platforms make each system perfect for some applications but less ideal for others.<\/p>\n
Technological innovations have provided peacekeepers with numerous tools to aid in intelligence gathering. Some of the most valuable tools come in the form of aerial surveillance platforms.<\/p>\n
Captive drone\u00a0and tethered aerostat are two of the most useful platforms for intelligence surveillance and reconnaissance operations<\/strong>. While it may seem like these systems are redundant, their optimal use case is a complementary one.<\/p>\n Sometimes called captive drones, tethered drones are uncrewed aerial vehicles (UAVs) that utilize a physical link to provide power.<\/p>\n In some cases, the physical link is also a conduit for communications and data transfer. Typically, the physical connection is in the form of a wire or fiber optic cable. This cable has the ground control station at one end and the drone at the other. In most cases, the drone is a multirotor system.<\/p>\n Captive drones come into two varieties:<\/p>\n Elistair\u2019s Khronos DroneBox<\/span><\/a> is an example of a by design tethered drone system, built to provide continuous aerial surveillance. The deployment for this automated drone is less than 10 minutes. Additionally, utilizing a drone like Khronos requires only a single operator to perform all functions.<\/p>\n A tethered aerostat, also known as captive balloon, is filled with helium or hydrogen. They are used for aerial surveillance and as communication relays. These systems usually have a balloon, a tether, a winch, and sensors attached to the bottom of the balloon. They are much larger than most drones, with lengths ranging from 1 to 75 meters.<\/p>\n Because of their size, tethered aerostat systems need a larger area on the ground. They also require a crew to operate. Depending on the size of the balloon, some of the more extensive systems can demand up to 10 people. The support system on the ground is also significant.<\/p>\n Tethered drones can stay in the air for many hours<\/strong>, even a whole day. This is different from free-flying drones, which have batteries that limit their flight time. Beyond this key characteristic, what are the other benefits of tethered drones?<\/p>\n Intelligence surveillance and reconnaissance activities require intelligence gathers to maintain their focus. Missing the slightest detail in the data collected could have catastrophic consequences.<\/p>\n For this reason, analysts greatly benefit from the autonomous nature of tethered drones.\u00a0Les drones filaires<\/a>\u00a0can operate up to 100 meters above the ground. The entire operation of the system only requires a single person.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/elistair.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/IMG_20220304_072627-scaled.jpg” alt=”Elistair Orion 2 tethered UAS flight test” title_text=”Orion 2 persistent UAS” align=”center” force_fullwidth=”on” _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” text_text_color=”#1E1E1E” text_font_size=”18px” text_line_height=”1.8em” header_2_font=”GT America Extended Regular||||||||” header_2_text_color=”#000000″ header_2_font_size=”34px” header_2_line_height=”1.2em” header_3_font=”GT America Extended Medium||||||||” header_3_text_color=”#000000″ hover_enabled=”0″ header_2_font_size_tablet=”34px” header_2_font_size_phone=”26px” header_2_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone” inline_fonts=”GT America Extended Regular,GT America Extended Medium” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content” sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n \n In addition to a low commitment of human resources, tethered drone systems have a\u00a0minimal logistics footprint. These units are light and easy to pack. They have swappable arms and legs, which makes them easy to transport, even in small vehicles.<\/p>\n \n \n Tethered drone systems are rapidly deployable.\u00a0Security personnel can quickly grab the two hardened cases and the generator and move them to where they need the drone.<\/p>\n If the system is already in a vehicle<\/a><\/span>, the process is even faster. The speed at which one can deploy tethered drone systems is a significant benefit of the platform. Taking the system down when the mission is complete is just as easy as the setup.<\/p>\n \n \n The design and size of tethered drone systems allow for better wind resistance. This is especially the case when compared to captive aerostats.<\/p>\n Higher wind speed affect the stability of the drone as well as its power consumption. A tethered system receives its power from a generator and not a LiPo battery.<\/p>\n Tethered drones with a low wind resistance can fly in more substantial wind speeds without reducing data quality. As a consequence they offer a greater service continuity<\/strong>.<\/p>\n \n \n A final advantage is the cost of these systems. Whereas a captive aerostat can cost millions of dollars, tethered drone systems cost tens of thousands. The relatively low cost allows the technology to be within reach of most governments, militaries, and security forces.<\/p>\n \n \n The primary limitations related to tethered drone systems are payload capacity and on-station time compared to captive aerostats.<\/p>\n The payload options for UAVs are constantly benefiting from innovations and advancements in optics capabilities. That being said, there are payload weight limitations that prevent tethered drones from carrying more robust optics packages.<\/p>\n For example, a standard tethered drone can carry up to 2 kilograms. In contrast, a strategic tethered aerostat can carry up to 3,000 kilograms.<\/p>\n Tethered drones can remain airborne for 24 hours. This is a substantial amount of time to collect information and conduct surveillance operations. Aerostats can remain airborne for several days allowing for even greater periods of uninterrupted ISR.<\/p>\n \n \n When comparing a tethered aerostat to other aerial surveillance platforms, balloons have two primary advantages.<\/p>\n For end-users looking for long-term coverage of a position, captive balloons can remain on station for months at a time<\/strong>. This unmatched duration allows for continuous aerial surveillance.<\/p>\n Given the height at which these platforms operate, they can detect targets<\/strong> at a distance of over 50 kilometers.<\/strong><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/elistair.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/Tethered-Aerostat.jpg” alt=”Picture of an aerostat on the ground” title_text=”A U.S. Navy MZ-3A manned airship, Advanced Airship Flying” align=”center” force_fullwidth=”on” _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” text_text_color=”#1E1E1E” text_font_size=”18px” text_line_height=”1.8em” header_2_font=”GT America Extended Regular||||||||” header_2_text_color=”#000000″ header_2_font_size=”34px” header_2_line_height=”1.2em” header_3_font=”GT America Extended Medium||||||||” header_3_text_color=”#000000″ hover_enabled=”0″ header_2_font_size_tablet=”34px” header_2_font_size_phone=”26px” header_2_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone” inline_fonts=”GT America Extended Regular” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content” sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n \n The second advantage of using tethered aerostat systems is the ability to carry large payloads. Some of the larger platforms can carry payloads weighing up to 3,000 kilograms<\/strong>. Payloads can include radar systems, infrared cameras, video, and communications equipment.<\/p>\n The weight limits of an aerostat balloon give planners room to create custom aerial surveillance solutions. These solutions can meet their specific needs.<\/p>\n An excellent example of captive aerostats is the Tethered Aerostat Radar System (TARS). The payload capabilities of TARS allow for easy detection of targets in the air, on land, and on the water.<\/p>\n \n \n While the benefits of an aerostat ballon are noteworthy, they have three significant limitations to consider.<\/p>\n \n Many industries have found uses for captive drones to include defense, communications, and public and private security sectors. Tethered drones like the ORION 2 are highly versatile platforms. They include use cases as\u00a0border surveillance<\/span><\/a>,\u00a0FOB protection, and\u00a0communication tactique<\/strong>.<\/p>\n By their nature, borders are areas prone to conflict and criminal activity. The borders of many countries stretch for hundreds, if not thousands, of kilometers.<\/p>\n A country’s borders can cover many types of land, from mountains to rivers. This variety makes it hard to keep track of these boundaries. Fences and walls offer some protection and deterrence, but these obstacles are highly ineffective without monitoring.<\/p>\n The ability for tethered drones to rapidly deploy to an area<\/strong>, especially when mounted on a vehicle, makes them ideally suited for border security. Captive drones have seen successful implementation at high traffic areas like checkpoints and in remote and almost inaccessible locations. They are also very effective at\u00a0monitoring large crowds.<\/p>\n FOBs allow militaries to project their presence beyond well-established and protected installations. While these locations enable force projection, they expose personnel to more significant dangers. Maintaining aerial surveillance<\/strong> in these locations is essential. Tethered drones are excellent at detecting and preventing attacks and intrusions.<\/p>\n In addition, tethered drones offer secure communications in tactical situations<\/strong>. The data transfer between the drone and station via the tether is a closed system reducing the risks of jamming.<\/p>\n \n \n Captive aerostats are performant in the same roles as tethered drones but at a much larger scale due to their size and cost. ISR applications such as Border protection, FOB security, and providing tactical communications are valid use cases for captive aerostats.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/elistair.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/Captive-aerostat-for-defense-application.jpg” alt=”Big aerostat on the ground in a desertic landscape” title_text=”Spy Balloon – captive aerostat” force_fullwidth=”on” _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” text_text_color=”#1E1E1E” text_font_size=”18px” text_line_height=”1.8em” header_2_font=”GT America Extended Regular||||||||” header_2_text_color=”#000000″ header_2_font_size=”34px” header_2_line_height=”1.6em” header_3_font=”GT America Extended Medium||||||||” header_3_text_color=”#000000″ hover_enabled=”0″ header_2_font_size_tablet=”34px” header_2_font_size_phone=”26px” header_2_font_size_last_edited=”on|desktop” header_3_font_size_tablet=”” header_3_font_size_phone=”” header_3_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone” inline_fonts=”GT America Extended Medium” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content” sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n Tethered drones are useful for small to medium FOBs whereas tethered aerostats are adapated for significantly larger installations.<\/p>\n Afghanistan\u2019s most extensive airbase, Bagram, is a great example from recent history:<\/p>\n In addition to the extensive runway and tarmac, the facility has a vast infrastructure covering over 70 square kilometers. Tethered drones cannot effectively cover such an area with multiple entry points and a long perimeter wall.<\/p>\n A tethered aerostat is more than capable of monitoring such an extensive facility. Given the size of Bagram, there is no need for aerial surveillance assets to maintain stealth. The base is wide enough with vast facilities to offer plenty of room for the logistical footprint aerostats require.<\/p>\n \n Tethered drones and captive aerostats complement each other well in the right situations. In the case of border security and FOB protection specifically, pairing these assets is advantageous.<\/p>\n Border checkpoints are often the site of larger cities on both sides of the boundary. The number of crossings can be enormous in a given year. Consider how the combined efforts of tethered drones and captive aerostats could aid in this gargantuan task.<\/p>\n A tethered aerostat could be floating several kilometers away from the border, while tethered drones could be employed at checkpoints and inspection areas directly at crossing points.<\/p>\n Tethered drone systems<\/strong> excel when end-users need mobility and rapidly deployable<\/strong> observation platforms for tactical ISR operations<\/strong>. Tethered aerostat<\/strong> is best employed where the need for long-duration surveillance and heavy payloads<\/strong> is combined with locations that can support their logistics footprint. In many cases, combining these platforms provides the best coverage without sacrificing flexibility. Together, tethered drones and captive aerostats help to build one of the best ISR pictures possible.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” text_text_color=”#1E1E1E” text_font_size=”18px” text_line_height=”1.8em” header_2_font=”GT America Extended Regular||||||||” header_2_text_color=”#000000″ header_2_font_size=”34px” header_2_line_height=”1.6em” header_3_font=”GT America Extended Medium||||||||” header_3_text_color=”#000000″ hover_enabled=”0″ header_2_font_size_tablet=”34px” header_2_font_size_phone=”26px” header_2_font_size_last_edited=”on|desktop” header_3_font_size_tablet=”” header_3_font_size_phone=”” header_3_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone” inline_fonts=”GT America Extended Medium” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content” sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n Author \u2013 David T. Daly<\/p>\n More information about Elistair solution<\/a><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section]<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Tethered Aerostat Systems and Tethered Drones: Main Differences Elistair Team12 minutesShare the articleTethered aerostat systems and tethered drone are both excellent tools for conducting aerial surveillance. The unique characteristics of these platforms make each system perfect for some applications but less ideal for others. Technological innovations have provided peacekeepers with numerous tools to aid in […]<\/p>","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":28305,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"on","_et_pb_old_content":" As tactical telecommunications continue to advance, military forces around the world are experimenting with and adopting UAV technology. Tethered drones offer several significant benefits, making this platform an indispensable tool for warfighters and first responders. Serious consideration should be given to tethered drones and how this resource is a force multiplier for frontline operations.<\/p> The modern battlefield is rapidly changing. Militaries worldwide are embracing technology<\/a> that is forcing many countries to rethink what programs are most important to support their future military needs. Platforms that have been staples of military arsenals for centuries are becoming obsolete as advances in UAVs, precision weapons, and telecommunications dilute their effectiveness. For example, in the United States, the Marine Corps conducted a series of wargames between 2018 and 2019 that solidified their decision to divest<\/a> in tanks, artillery, infantry units, and light attack air platforms.<\/p> Technology is rapidly creating highly effective ground units with increased mobility, telecommunications advantages, and heightened lethality. Soldiers are becoming nodes within a greater network of information collection and dissemination. Miniature drones<\/a>, augmented-reality<\/a> headsets, and improved communications gear are becoming part of the modern soldier's combat load. To take full advantage of the technological advances<\/a>, many of the limitations present in current telecommunications solutions will need to be addressed.<\/p> The need for mobile networks and a shift to decentralized decision-making will only be possible with tools that maximize the benefits of these systems. Drones are a force multiplier in this space. Not only are these aerial platforms excellent intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) collection assets, but they can also be utilized to establish and extend the range of mobile networks without sacrificing the warfighter's need for mobility.<\/p> There are many advantages to using drones for telecommunications. UAV technology is easy to set up and requires little time to do so. Drones can be used to extend the range of a mobile network and can do so while keeping soldiers safe from dangerous RF exposure.<\/p> Drones can be free-flying platforms or tethered. When a drone is tethered, it essentially has a cable that connects it to a base station on the ground. There are pros and cons to using both untethered and tethered drones. There are several reasons why tethered drones are a much better<\/a> tool for use in this application.<\/p> Advantages to using tethered drones, in general, are significant in many use cases. Common limitations of untethered drones include limited flight times, increased safety risk, antenna interference, and the need for a trained pilot. Let us explore each of these further.<\/p> Perhaps the most critical drawback to using untethered drones to expand network coverage and collect ISR is their limited flight time. Lithium polymer (LiPo) batteries power most untethered drones. On average, these types of batteries can sustain flight times of 20 to 30 minutes<\/a>. Even the most ambitious designs can only remain in flight for an hour or so.<\/p> Combat environments require constant ISR coverage, and future combat environments will require consistent mobile networks. Even hour-long flight durations are not acceptable for this task. Tethered drones, by contrast, have near limitless power and thus can stay airborne for long periods of time.<\/p> Elistair's Orion 2 drone utilizes the SAFE-T 2 tethered drone station<\/a> as its base station. The SAFE-T 2 is a modular metallic structure, compact, and can easily be integrated into military and law enforcement vehicles. When connected to a power source, the SAFE-T 2 can provide power to the Orion 2. The dual-comms option integrates fiber optic and BPL data links in parallel, allowing for unmatched speeds and secure data transfer. The logistical footprint for the entire system is very small. Traditional setups can take hours before the node is operational. With the base station, Orion 2, and a tactical radio, soldiers can begin their operations in 15 minutes. With the SAFE-T 2 base station, the Orion 2 can stay airborne for a full 24 hours.<\/p> From a safety perspective, untethered drones can fly away<\/a> as telecommunication antennas, and other electronic interferences confuse the drone. Tethered drones do not have this problem as their signals are fed to the aircraft through the tether line. In combat, this keeps drones from being jammed or flying away. Soldiers can avoid injury from falling drones and degraded network performance, both potential life-threatening situations in war.<\/p> Another safety benefit to tethered drone use has been identified by Blair Hickey, Managing Director at Omega Dev Group. To maintain connectivity, line of sight must be maintained. This often means raising the antenna higher and higher. As the height increases, soldiers risk falls and a greater chance of exposure to dangerous RF levels<\/a>. Mr. Hickey notes<\/strong>, \"Having the antenna at a high level by its very nature will keep the RF away from people and will reduce the possibility of people coming into areas where the RF is at a high level.\" Expanding on his point further, Hickey says, \"In general, placing an antenna system higher in the air enhances its communications capabilities and also reduces the chance of RF exposure and electromagnetic interference.\"<\/strong><\/p> Flying untethered drones is an acquired skill. Becoming a proficient drone pilot requires many hours of training. A minimum of 50 flight hours is typical to become proficient, but many experts argue that professional pilots need 200-300 hours of flight time in various conditions flying different types of UAVs before they become experts. For most militaries, the telecommunications world is a centralized model shifting to a decentralized network<\/a>. The old model looks at warfare from the viewpoint of the commander. Telecommunications equipment was designed to send information up the chain of command. It was an effective model when the decision-makers were removed from frontline combat elements. As telecommunications technology has made its way to the ground pounder, centralized systems have become less effective. The evolution from Vietnam-era man-portable<\/a> radios to SINCGARS<\/a> units, which first fielded in the early 90s, showed a more extraordinary ability to inform the commanders, but little changed for the tip of the spear warfighter.<\/p> Radios such as SINCGARS are often paired with mobile antenna units<\/a> such as the OE-254 to increase their effectiveness. As a ground-based antenna system, the OE-254 takes some time to set up, making it less than ideal for units with a need for high mobility. Typically, the efforts of several soldiers are required to erect the antenna and secure it to the ground. Rough terrain also causes issues when using systems like the OE-254. Dead space is created where the line of sight is lost between antennas and radio systems. UAVs such as Elistair's ORION 2<\/a> tethered drone platform are an example of a more practical solution for expanding the modern warfighter's network range and decreasing lost communication occurrences.<\/p> Tethered drones can expand the network node to provide additional range to soldiers. They are a much better option when compared to the OE-254 and systems like it. Mark A Stone, a C4\/ISR Business Rep\/SME at Federal Solutions, expands on this point.<\/p> According to Mr. Stone, \"Network ranges expand and contract as the operation develops. Having a node on a measurable medium allows us to increase our network's range and\/or decrease our network's range simply by raising or lowering the drone.\u201d<\/strong> Mark continues by saying that for every 5 feet the antenna is raised, a half-mile of range is added to the network. \u201cRaising the node above trees, buildings, and vehicles will greatly enhance a high-gain antenna\u2019s line of sight properties. Clear line of sight is vital.\u201d<\/strong><\/p> The modern soldier requires collecting and acting on ISR to shoot, move, and communicate. Radios which only function to transmit and receive voice do little to help in this effort and, in some cases, will hinder the soldier's ability to be effective. This is especially true when looking at some of the latest internet of things (IoT) devices appearing on the battlefield. These devices are sometimes referred to as the internet of battlefield things<\/a> (IoBT). Additionally, legacy military communication systems lack many of the advantages<\/a> seen in their commercial counterparts. While they have combat advantages such as modulation, encryption, and amplification, they typically only transmit voice over FM, AM, and MSK. Commercial units can transmit voice, data, location, and SMS over QAM<\/a>, QPSK<\/a>, and DSS<\/a>. The commercial units are much better equipped to handle IoT and the decentralized network model. In an era where the radio is becoming more of a network device than just a radio, FM, AM, and MSK are just not the correct modulations to handle the bandwidth and data requirements of current and future conflicts.<\/p> Communication assets that rely on satellites are also a part of modern telecommunication assets but have their own limitations. In most cases, the satellites used by the military are owned by companies<\/a>, not the government. This forces the government to rely on outside parties to keep these systems operational. Adversaries could also target satellites and render satellite-based communications useless.<\/p> A more practical limitation of satellite communications is that while they help communicate beyond line of sight (BLOS), they are susceptible to electronic warfare and cyber-attacks. Also, with an increased presence of IoT devices on the battlefield, satellite communications lack the bandwidth to handle rapid additions of multiple nodes. As bandwidth needs increase with further telecommunications advances, it will simply be too challenging to bring additional satellites into operation to scale and meet the demand. To be an effective fighting force, soldiers on the ground must become part of a mobile network. Radios of the future will need to be designed as part of a software-defined network.<\/a> These mobile networks, and the nodes they encompass, will need to be supported by assets, like tethered drones, that increase their range and power without hindering mobility.<\/p> \u00a0<\/p> In their C3 (Command, Control, and Communications) Modernization Strategy<\/a>, the United States Department of Defense had the following to say regarding the future needs of warfighters, \"Future conflicts could well be decided by information advantage, success going to the side that transforms vast amounts of data from distributed sensors and weapons systems across multiple domains into actionable information for better, faster decision making and precision effects.\"<\/p> This strategy, released in September 2020, highlights what many militaries worldwide know and are already preparing for; the future of warfare will require integrated tactical mobile networks<\/a><\/strong> and the equipment to optimize them.<\/p> As the fight becomes more mobile, combatants will not have the time to stop and set up static positions. They will need to be constantly on the move. Mobile networks are the best solution for supporting this type of fighting. From the United States Army's perspective<\/a>, tactical networks will be successful when they incorporate command post mobility, secure wireless communications, cybersecurity, and edge computing. It is a view shared by many forces around the world.<\/p> Commanders understand now that the existing model of spending hours to set up command tents takes up an enormous amount of resources while sacrificing situational awareness. This type of setup limits the flexibility of the warfighter and makes maintaining the tempo of military operations difficult.<\/p> The move from wired communications to wireless has been historically slow for militaries around the world. A change must come in the form of small wireless systems serving various roles across the battlefield. These wireless systems will need to be encrypted but allow soldiers to use laptops, tablets, and even smartphones<\/a> to transfer and receive information over WiFi, LTE, MIMO<\/a>, and Mobile Network-Multiple Input Multiple Output (MN-MIMO)<\/a>.<\/p> MN-MIMO<\/strong> is particularly interesting. This advanced waveform can provide reliable, high bandwidth, mesh video and data communications even in restrictive environments such as combat theaters. MN-MIMO combines multiple antennas and digital signal processing to enhance the performance of wireless mesh networks (MANET).<\/a> The system can even be attached to drones like the Orion 2<\/a> for added expansion of the network's range. Aerial relays, like those created with tethered drones, allow for rapid set up and continuous situational awareness. Advances like this will become the requirement for any military looking to stay competitive.<\/p> Mobile networks will need to have the ability to withstand cyber-attacks from adversary forces. The mobility of these networks will help achieve this as they leave far less of a digital footprint than the historical setups of large, well-established bases with vast numbers of systems waiting to be attacked.<\/p> Finally, the battlefield of the future requires networks to have improved response time and lower their use of bandwidth with edge computing. Only through edge computing can a soldier realistically utilize the IoT, artificial intelligence asset, sensors, drones, and other analytics tools while on the frontline.<\/p> As tethered drones address most of the limitations seen in untethered platforms, it becomes clear why they are the ideal solution for this task. They provide soldiers with the benefits of untethered drones while significantly decreasing or eliminate the limitations seen in free-flying systems.<\/p> Without a doubt, the outcome of future conflicts will be determined by the military force with greater mobility and increased lethality. Mobile networks will require additional assets, such as tethered drones, to both optimize them and protect network integrity from enemy attacks.<\/p> Elistair's Orion 2 drone equipped with an MN-MIMO antenna and attached to the SAFE-T 2 drone base station represents the pinnacle of drone-based network solutions for the warfighter. Any military force looking to expand the range of their networks and allow for secure, high-speed data transmission should seriously consider the combined platform's capabilities. The telecommunications centered war is upon us.<\/p>","_et_gb_content_width":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[246],"tags":[259],"class_list":["post-24023","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-military-drones","tag-articles"],"yoast_head":"\nTethered Drones Definition<\/h3>\n
\n
\n
Tethered Aerostat Systems Definition<\/h3>\n
\n
\n
Tethered Drones Benefits and Limitations<\/h2>\n
Tethered UAVs are autonomous<\/h3>\n
Compact and easy to transport<\/h3>\n
Rapidly deployable systems<\/h3>\n
A great wind resistance<\/h3>\n
Less expensive than a tethered aerostat<\/h3>\n
The main limitations of tethered drones<\/h3>\n
\n
\n
Tethered Aerostat: Main Benefits<\/h2>\n
Unbeatable flight times<\/h3>\n
Carrying extremely heavy payloads<\/h3>\n
Tethered Aerostat Systems Limitations<\/h2>\n
\n
\n
\n
Tethered Drone Use Cases<\/h2>\n
Tethered Aerostat Systems Use Cases<\/h2>\n
Combined Efforts<\/h2>\n
Where Tethered Drones Fit In<\/strong><\/h2>
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/elistair.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Tethered-Drone-Aerial-Antenna-2-169x300.jpg\")
<\/p>Unlimited autonomy is the first critical benefit of tethered drones<\/h4>
Keeping soldiers safe from radio frequencies, jamming risks and fly aways<\/h4>
![\"radios\"](\"https:\/\/elistair.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Tethered-drones-frontline-operations-300x169.png\")
<\/p>Tethered drones are easy to deploy<\/h4>
Soldiers worldwide are already burdened by the amount of knowledge and training they are given. It is not realistic to expect the warfighter to learn even more skills for the added benefit of employing drones. Tethered drones, like the Orion 2, eliminate the need for hours of training and flight time. As a result of the platform's static nature, users can establish and maintain situational awareness at the click of a button. There is no need for advanced drone flying skills.<\/p>Existing Solutions & The Limitations of Ground-Based Equipment<\/strong><\/h2>
Tethered drones can expand the network node to provide additional range to soldiers.<\/h4>
The modern soldier requires collecting and acting on ISR to shoot, move, and communicate.<\/h4>
![\"soldiers](\"https:\/\/elistair.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Equipped-soldiers-tactical-telecommunications-267x300.png\")
<\/p>What Warfighters Need From Tac<\/strong>tical Telecommunications<\/strong><\/h2>
As the fight becomes more mobile, combatants will not have the time to stop and set up static positions.<\/h4>
![\"radio](\"https:\/\/elistair.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Pop-up-telecom-emergency-communication-300x169.jpg\")
<\/p>\u00a0<\/h2>
Tethered Drones as key assets to optimize and protect network integrity<\/h2>