{"id":29982,"date":"2023-03-21T16:42:14","date_gmt":"2023-03-21T16:42:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/elistair.com\/?p=29982"},"modified":"2026-03-02T15:34:45","modified_gmt":"2026-03-02T15:34:45","slug":"tethered-drone-systems-vs-traditional-drones-what-is-the-difference","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/elistair.com\/fr\/resources\/general-information-about-tethered-drones\/tethered-drone-systems-vs-traditional-drones-what-is-the-difference\/","title":{"rendered":"Syst\u00e8mes de drones filaires et drones traditionnels : Principales diff\u00e9rences"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>[et_pb_section fb_built=&#8221;1&#8243; custom_padding_last_edited=&#8221;on|desktop&#8221; disabled_on=&#8221;off|off|off&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.21.0&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; background_color=&#8221;rgba(40,59,86,0.63)&#8221; background_image=&#8221;https:\/\/elistair.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/Tethered-drones-vs-traditional-uavs-main-differences-scaled.jpg&#8221; background_blend=&#8221;darken&#8221; custom_padding=&#8221;0px||0px||false|false&#8221; custom_padding_tablet=&#8221;0px||0px||false|false&#8221; custom_padding_phone=&#8221;0px||0px||false|false&#8221; background_last_edited=&#8221;on|phone&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221; custom_padding__hover_enabled=&#8221;off|desktop&#8221; theme_builder_area=&#8221;post_content&#8221;][et_pb_row _builder_version=&#8221;4.21.0&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; width=&#8221;60%&#8221; width_tablet=&#8221;90%&#8221; width_phone=&#8221;90%&#8221; width_last_edited=&#8221;on|desktop&#8221; custom_margin_tablet=&#8221;&#8221; custom_margin_phone=&#8221;&#8221; custom_margin_last_edited=&#8221;on|desktop&#8221; custom_padding=&#8221;15px||5px||false|false&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221; theme_builder_area=&#8221;post_content&#8221;][et_pb_column type=&#8221;4_4&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.21.0&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221; 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width_phone=&#8221;90%&#8221; width_last_edited=&#8221;on|tablet&#8221; custom_margin_tablet=&#8221;&#8221; custom_margin_phone=&#8221;0px||0px||false|false&#8221; custom_margin_last_edited=&#8221;on|phone&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221; theme_builder_area=&#8221;post_content&#8221;][et_pb_column type=&#8221;4_4&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.21.0&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221; theme_builder_area=&#8221;post_content&#8221;][et_pb_text _builder_version=&#8221;4.21.0&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; text_font=&#8221;GT America Extended Regular||||||||&#8221; custom_margin=&#8221;0px||0px||false|false&#8221; custom_margin_tablet=&#8221;0px||0px||false|false&#8221; custom_margin_phone=&#8221;||0px||false|false&#8221; custom_margin_last_edited=&#8221;on|phone&#8221; custom_padding=&#8221;10px||0px||false|false&#8221; header_font_tablet=&#8221;&#8221; header_font_phone=&#8221;&#8221; header_font_last_edited=&#8221;on|phone&#8221; header_font_size_tablet=&#8221;&#8221; header_font_size_phone=&#8221;26px&#8221; header_font_size_last_edited=&#8221;on|phone&#8221; inline_fonts=&#8221;GT America Extended Medium,GT America Extended Light Italic,GT America Extended Light,GT America Extended Regular&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221; theme_builder_area=&#8221;post_content&#8221;]<\/p>\n<h1 style=\"color: #ffffff; font-family: 'GT America Extended Regular'; font-weight: bold;\">Tethered Drone Systems vs. Traditional Drones: What is the Difference?<\/h1>\n<p>[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row disabled_on=&#8221;off|off|on&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.21.0&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; width=&#8221;60%&#8221; width_tablet=&#8221;90%&#8221; width_phone=&#8221;90%&#8221; width_last_edited=&#8221;on|phone&#8221; custom_margin_tablet=&#8221;&#8221; custom_margin_phone=&#8221;&#8221; custom_margin_last_edited=&#8221;on|desktop&#8221; custom_padding=&#8221;5px||15px||false|false&#8221; 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icon_placement=&#8221;left&#8221; image_icon_width=&#8221;85%&#8221; disabled_on=&#8221;off|off|off&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.21.0&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; body_font=&#8221;GT America Extended Regular||||||||&#8221; body_text_color=&#8221;#FFFFFF&#8221; body_font_size=&#8221;16px&#8221; image_icon_custom_margin=&#8221;|-20px||0px|false|false&#8221; custom_margin=&#8221;|25px|||false|false&#8221; custom_margin_tablet=&#8221;&#8221; custom_margin_phone=&#8221;&#8221; custom_margin_last_edited=&#8221;on|tablet&#8221; custom_css_blurb_image=&#8221;.et_pb_only_image_mode_wrap {||    width: 100px!important;||}&#8221; border_radii_image=&#8221;on|100px|100px|100px|100px&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221; theme_builder_area=&#8221;post_content&#8221;]<\/p>\n<p><span><\/span><br \/>L'\u00e9quipe Elistair<\/p>\n<p>[\/et_pb_blurb][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=&#8221;1_3&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.21.0&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221; theme_builder_area=&#8221;post_content&#8221;][et_pb_blurb use_icon=&#8221;on&#8221; font_icon=&#8221;&#xf274;||fa||400&#8243; icon_color=&#8221;#FFFFFF&#8221; icon_placement=&#8221;left&#8221; image_icon_width=&#8221;18px&#8221; disabled_on=&#8221;off|off|off&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.21.0&#8243; _dynamic_attributes=&#8221;content&#8221; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; body_font=&#8221;GT America Extended Regular||||||||&#8221; body_text_color=&#8221;#FFFFFF&#8221; body_font_size=&#8221;16px&#8221; image_icon_custom_margin=&#8221;|||10px|false|false&#8221; width=&#8221;70%&#8221; custom_margin=&#8221;23px|25px||0px|false|false&#8221; custom_margin_tablet=&#8221;23px|||-170px|false|false&#8221; custom_margin_phone=&#8221;0px|||0px|false|false&#8221; custom_margin_last_edited=&#8221;on|desktop&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221; theme_builder_area=&#8221;post_content&#8221;]@ET-DC@eyJkeW5hbWljIjp0cnVlLCJjb250ZW50IjoicG9zdF9kYXRlIiwic2V0dGluZ3MiOnsiYmVmb3JlIjoiIiwiYWZ0ZXIiOiIiLCJkYXRlX2Zvcm1hdCI6ImN1c3RvbSIsImN1c3RvbV9kYXRlX2Zvcm1hdCI6ImogTSBZIn19@[\/et_pb_blurb][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=&#8221;1_3&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.21.0&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221; theme_builder_area=&#8221;post_content&#8221;][et_pb_blurb use_icon=&#8221;on&#8221; font_icon=&#8221;&#x7d;||divi||400&#8243; icon_color=&#8221;#FFFFFF&#8221; icon_placement=&#8221;left&#8221; image_icon_width=&#8221;19px&#8221; disabled_on=&#8221;off|off|off&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.21.0&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; body_font=&#8221;GT America Extended Regular||||||||&#8221; body_text_color=&#8221;#FFFFFF&#8221; body_font_size=&#8221;16px&#8221; image_icon_custom_margin=&#8221;|||10px|false|false&#8221; width=&#8221;70%&#8221; custom_margin=&#8221;23px|||-90px|false|false&#8221; custom_margin_tablet=&#8221;23px|||-150px|false|false&#8221; custom_margin_phone=&#8221;0px|||0px|false|false&#8221; custom_margin_last_edited=&#8221;on|phone&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221; theme_builder_area=&#8221;post_content&#8221;]<\/p>\n<p>12 minutes<\/p>\n<p>[\/et_pb_blurb][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=&#8221;1&#8243; disabled_on=&#8221;off|off|off&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.21.0&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; custom_padding=&#8221;20px||0px||false|false&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221; theme_builder_area=&#8221;post_content&#8221;][et_pb_row _builder_version=&#8221;4.21.0&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; width=&#8221;60%&#8221; width_tablet=&#8221;90%&#8221; width_phone=&#8221;90%&#8221; width_last_edited=&#8221;on|tablet&#8221; custom_padding=&#8221;20px||20px||false|false&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221; theme_builder_area=&#8221;post_content&#8221;][et_pb_column type=&#8221;4_4&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.21.0&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221; theme_builder_area=&#8221;post_content&#8221;][et_pb_text content_last_edited=&#8221;off|desktop&#8221; module_class=&#8221;socialnetworkcustomshare&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.21.0&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; text_font=&#8221;GT America Extended Regular||||||||&#8221; text_text_color=&#8221;#1E1E1E&#8221; text_font_size=&#8221;20px&#8221; custom_margin_tablet=&#8221;|-30px|||false|false&#8221; custom_margin_phone=&#8221;|0px|||false|false&#8221; custom_margin_last_edited=&#8221;on|phone&#8221; text_font_size_tablet=&#8221;20px&#8221; text_font_size_phone=&#8221;18px&#8221; text_font_size_last_edited=&#8221;on|phone&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221; theme_builder_area=&#8221;post_content&#8221;]<\/p>\n<p>Share the article<\/p>\n<p>[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=&#8221;1&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.21.0&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; custom_padding=&#8221;15px||0px||false|false&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221; theme_builder_area=&#8221;post_content&#8221;][et_pb_row _builder_version=&#8221;4.21.0&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; width=&#8221;60%&#8221; width_tablet=&#8221;90%&#8221; width_phone=&#8221;90%&#8221; width_last_edited=&#8221;on|desktop&#8221; custom_margin=&#8221;0px||||false|false&#8221; custom_padding=&#8221;0px||||false|false&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221; theme_builder_area=&#8221;post_content&#8221;][et_pb_column type=&#8221;4_4&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.21.0&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221; theme_builder_area=&#8221;post_content&#8221;][et_pb_text _builder_version=&#8221;4.21.0&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; text_text_color=&#8221;#1E1E1E&#8221; text_font_size=&#8221;18px&#8221; text_line_height=&#8221;1.8em&#8221; header_2_font=&#8221;GT America Extended Regular||||||||&#8221; header_2_text_color=&#8221;#000000&#8243; header_2_font_size=&#8221;34px&#8221; header_2_line_height=&#8221;1.2em&#8221; header_3_font=&#8221;GT America Extended Medium||||||||&#8221; header_3_text_color=&#8221;#000000&#8243; custom_padding=&#8221;5px|||||&#8221; hover_enabled=&#8221;0&#8243; inline_fonts=&#8221;GT America Extended Ultra Light Italic,GT America Extended Light Italic,GT America Extended Medium,GT America Extended Regular&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221; theme_builder_area=&#8221;post_content&#8221; sticky_enabled=&#8221;0&#8243;]<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">What exactly are tethered drone systems? What is the difference between <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/elistair.com\/fr\/solutions\/tethered-dronebox-khronos\/\">tethered drones<\/a><\/span> and traditional UAVs? What are the advantages and inconvenients of each?<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">UAVs have become an essential tool for many industries, <strong>including law enforcement, military, and commercial applications<\/strong>. With advances in technology, these unmanned aerial vehicles are more and more sophisticated. They can handle longer flight times, offer improved imaging capabilities, and greater range.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">Explore the world of professional drones and gain in-depth insights into their unique features and critical roles in security, safety, and defense applications.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/elistair.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/M30-equipped-with-elistair-tether.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-50521 alignnone size-large\" src=\"https:\/\/elistair.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/M30-equipped-with-elistair-tether-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"DJI M30 uav connected with elistair tethered drone system\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" srcset=\"https:\/\/elistair.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/M30-equipped-with-elistair-tether-980x735.jpg 980w, https:\/\/elistair.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/M30-equipped-with-elistair-tether-480x360.jpg 480w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 0px) and (max-width: 480px) 480px, (min-width: 481px) and (max-width: 980px) 980px, (min-width: 981px) 1024px, 100vw\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: left;\">What are the differences between tethered drone systems and traditional ones?<\/h2>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><strong>Les drones filaires<\/strong> are UAVs that connect to a tether, which supplies power, data, or both from a <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/elistair.com\/solutions\/tethering-station-ligh-t\/\">ground power station<\/a><\/span> to the drone. Tethers can range in length from a few meters to a hundred meters or more.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">Whereas traditional drones, use onboard batteries for power and operators control them through a radio or wifi link.<\/p>\n<h3 style=\"text-align: left;\">Comparing flight endurance: tether drone vs. Traditional<\/h3>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">In theory, tether drones have an unlimited flight time thanks to the continuous power source they receive.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">In practice, component wear and environmental conditions limit their endurance. Standard aircrafts with a tether can fly for 5 to 8 hours. Reinforced aircraft designed for <strong>tethered flights can <\/strong>easily <span style=\"color: #000000;\">last over <strong>24 hours<\/strong><\/span>. This makes them ideal for applications that require extended surveillance, monitoring, and data collection.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">Traditional UAVs, on the other hand, have a limited flight time. Their onboard batteries typically last between 20-50 minutes. Moreover, there is additional time on the ground to swap out the batteries.<\/p>\n<h3 style=\"text-align: left;\">Drone range: tethered vs. traditional UAVs<\/h3>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><strong>Tethered drones exclusively perform captive flights<\/strong>. However, one can extend their limited range by leveraging powerful camera payloads with day and night zooming capabilities. Using several tether drones is another way to cover larger areas. These solutions can connect to a central video monitoring system or battle management system.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">Traditional systems, on the other hand, have a greater range and can fly over long distances. Their short flight will be the main limiting factor. It reduces their perimeter of action and increases the possibility of losing the aircraft.<\/p>\n<h3 style=\"text-align: left;\">Tethered systems for safest communications<\/h3>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">Tethered drone systems tend to solve data communication issues such as jamming or hacking. Indeed, they allow a<strong> direct power and data transmission <\/strong>by the tether which removes the need for AES 256-bit encryption.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">Some models also feature a \u201cdark-RF\u201d mode which allows them to be completely silent regarding radio emissions. This is particularly helpful in the battlefield, where discretion is critical, and where RF jamming is frequent.<\/p>\n<h3 style=\"text-align: left;\">Ease of transport<\/h3>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">Traditional UAVs can be easily transported to different locations and launched from a variety of platforms.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">Tethered drone systems have a larger logistical footprint. They include the UAV, the ground station, and sometimes a power source like a generator. However, they usually fit in the back of a standard vehcile. In addition, some designers create models for integration onto mobile platforms such as ground vehicles or vessels.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/elistair.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/Different_types_of_security_drone_-_Tethered_drones.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-49515 alignnone size-large\" src=\"https:\/\/elistair.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/Different_types_of_security_drone_-_Tethered_drones-1024x501.jpg\" alt=\"Les drones filaires\" width=\"1024\" height=\"501\" srcset=\"https:\/\/elistair.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/Different_types_of_security_drone_-_Tethered_drones-980x479.jpg 980w, https:\/\/elistair.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/Different_types_of_security_drone_-_Tethered_drones-480x235.jpg 480w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 0px) and (max-width: 480px) 480px, (min-width: 481px) and (max-width: 980px) 980px, (min-width: 981px) 1024px, 100vw\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<h3 style=\"text-align: left;\"><\/h3>\n<h3 style=\"text-align: left;\">Drone Piloting skills<\/h3>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">These systems are usually push-button systems, as their flight plan is simple. Existing products differ in their automation levels, as most advanced models also called \u201ctethered drones by design\u201d. Some of them don&#8217;t require any piloting skills.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">For example, the <span style=\"color: #000000;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/elistair.com\/solutions\/tethered-dronebox-khronos\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" style=\"color: #000000;\">Elistair <span style=\"color: #234d9d;\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">Khronos DroneBox<\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span>\u00a0has a full failsafe system. This lets the operator focus only on the surveillance mission.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">Traditional aircraft on the other hand require specific training and license for basic maneuvers. This is especially true in emergencies or missions that go beyond visual line of sight.<\/p>\n<h3 style=\"text-align: left;\">What is the price of a tethered drone?<\/h3>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">Tether drones are generally more expensive than traditional drones because they include the aircraft and the ground station, and reinforced components for persistence.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><strong>Ground power station prices<\/strong> range from \u20ac3,000 to \u20ac30,000, with an average price of around \u20ac15,000. Complete <strong>tethered drone systems cost<\/strong> between \u20ac20,000 and \u20ac130,000, depending on their features, not including the price of the payload.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">Costs can vary between civilian and military uses. When considering the cost of a drone mission, think about the cost of human resources. Also, consider the cost of consumable items, like batteries, and the system&#8217;s total lifespan.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">When chosen for the right missions, the cost per hour of using tethered drones is often lower in the long run.<\/p>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: left;\">Examples of tether drone applications<\/h2>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">Tethered drone systems are becoming more popular. They are used for military purposes and also for public and private safety. Their<strong> endurance and security features <\/strong>make them valuable. Here are some of the key points:<\/p>\n<h3 style=\"text-align: left;\">Tactical communications<\/h3>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">A tether drone can carry communication equipment. It helps set up<strong> temporary communication links<\/strong>. It also <span style=\"color: #000000;\"><a style=\"color: #000000;\" href=\"https:\/\/elistair.com\/applications\/defense-drone-communication\/\">extends tactical networks<\/a><\/span> in places where regular communication methods do not work.<\/p>\n<h3 style=\"text-align: left;\">FOB protection<\/h3>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">Tethered drone systems can provide <strong>real-time surveillance of the perimeter of a Forward Operating Base<\/strong> (FOB). This allows for early detection of any potential threats and giving troops a clear view of any approaching enemies. You can quickly deploy and pack up this type of system to follow the FOB movements.<\/p>\n<h3 style=\"text-align: left;\">Border monitoring<\/h3>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">Used to <a href=\"https:\/\/elistair.com\/applications\/defense-drone-surveillance-border\/\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">monitor areas around strategic crossing points or hard to reach areas, a<\/span><\/a>\u00a0tether drone cancan provide real-time surveillance of any suspicious activity and enabling authorities to respond quickly.<\/p>\n<h3 style=\"text-align: left;\">Surveillance de la circulation<\/h3>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">Tethered UAVs can provide ongoing footage for <a href=\"https:\/\/elistair.com\/applications\/public-safety-drone-traffic-monitoring\/\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">traffic monitoring<\/span><\/a> or data collection. <strong>They do not need to land to change batteries<\/strong>. When used with data analysis software, they are able to collect road traffic data over long periods.<\/p>\n<h3 style=\"text-align: left;\">Large events security<\/h3>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">At public events like concerts, protests, or sports, tether drones <span style=\"color: #000000;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/elistair.com\/resources\/police-drones\/surveillance-of-the-worlds-largest-music-festival\/\" style=\"color: #000000;\">help spot security threats<\/a><\/span> early. They also improve team coordination on the ground. <strong>The tether is also safer when it comes to preventing fly-aways over people<\/strong> or in urban environments.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/elistair.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Enhanced-situational-awareness-scaled.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-49544 alignnone size-large\" src=\"https:\/\/elistair.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Enhanced-situational-awareness-scaled.jpg\" alt=\"Enhanced Situational Awareness\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<h3 style=\"text-align: left;\">Industrial sites protection<\/h3>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">Tethered UAVs can help prevent intrusions or incidents in sensitive industrial sites. They provide<strong> real-time surveillance with no time constraints.<\/strong> This is critical for monitoring the movement of equipment and personnel during sensitive maneuvers. They can also help <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/elistair.com\/resources\/private-security-drone\/refinery-fire-monitoring-with-hellenic-petroleum\/\">coordinate safety operations<\/a><\/span> and crisis mangement ensuring the security of everyone on site.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">At the same time, various applications often use traditional UAVs. These include agriculture, media, entertainment, construction, land mapping, search and rescue, and inspection. Flexibility and range are important in these uses.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">To summarize, tether drones and traditional drones have their own advantages and inconvenients, and both have unique applications. <strong>Tethered drone systems are great for long-term surveillance<\/strong> and security tasks. They are useful for border control, monitoring large events, and watching perimeters.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">In comparison, <strong>traditional drones are more mobile<\/strong>. They have a greater range, which lets them perform missions that sensors cannot capture from far away.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">Knowing the differences between these two types of drones can help you pick the best one for your needs.<\/p>\n<h3 style=\"text-align: left;\">FAQ on Tethered Drone Systems<\/h3>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><strong>1. What is a tethered drone?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">A tethered drone is an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) connected to a ground station via a physical cable, allowing for continuous power and data transmission. This setup enhances operational capabilities and security.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><strong>2. How do tethered drones compare to traditional drones?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">While traditional drones have a limited range due to battery life, tethered drones can operate for extended periods, making them more suitable for prolonged missions that require consistent power and data flow.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><strong>3. What are the main applications of tethered drone systems?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">Tethered drones are commonly used in surveillance, monitoring, and data collection, particularly in environments where continuous power and reliable data transmission are essential.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><strong>4. How do tethered drone systems enhance data security?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">Tethered drone systems minimize the risk of data jamming and hacking by providing a direct power and data link. This reduces the need for complex encryption methods like AES 256-bit, making them ideal for sensitive operations.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><strong>5. What is &#8220;dark-RF&#8221; mode in tethered drones?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">Some tethered drone models feature a \u201cdark-RF\u201d mode, which allows them to operate silently with minimal radio emissions. This is particularly advantageous in military settings where stealth is crucial.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><strong>6. Where can I purchase tethered drone systems?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">Elistair is one of the world leader in tethered drone systems. Visit our website to learn more about our products and don&#8217;t hesitate to contact us for more information at enquiries@elistair.com<\/p>\n<p>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=&#8221;4.21.0&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; text_text_color=&#8221;#1E1E1E&#8221; text_font_size=&#8221;18px&#8221; text_line_height=&#8221;1.8em&#8221; header_2_font=&#8221;GT America Extended Regular||||||||&#8221; header_2_text_color=&#8221;#000000&#8243; header_2_font_size=&#8221;34px&#8221; header_2_line_height=&#8221;1.2em&#8221; header_3_font=&#8221;GT America Extended Medium||||||||&#8221; header_3_text_color=&#8221;#000000&#8243; hover_enabled=&#8221;0&#8243; header_2_font_size_tablet=&#8221;34px&#8221; header_2_font_size_phone=&#8221;26px&#8221; header_2_font_size_last_edited=&#8221;on|phone&#8221; inline_fonts=&#8221;GT America Extended Regular&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221; theme_builder_area=&#8221;post_content&#8221; sticky_enabled=&#8221;0&#8243;]<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">Photo credit: Sotirios PETROPOULOS Police Directorate of Orestiada, Greece<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">For more information about Elistair and its products, please visit <a href=\"https:\/\/www.elistair.com\/\">www.elistair.com<\/a>\u00a0and get the latest developments on Linkedin @elistair.<\/p>\n<p>[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section]<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Tethered Drone Systems vs. Traditional Drones: What is the Difference?Elistair Team12 minutesShare the articleWhat exactly are tethered drone systems? What is the difference between tethered drones and traditional UAVs? What are the advantages and inconvenients of each? UAVs have become an essential tool for many industries, including law enforcement, military, and commercial applications. With advances [&hellip;]<\/p>","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":30023,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"on","_et_pb_old_content":"<p>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><p>The modern battlefield is rapidly changing. Militaries worldwide are <a href=\"https:\/\/media.defense.gov\/2020\/Sep\/01\/2002488689\/-1\/-1\/1\/2020-DOD-CHINA-MILITARY-POWER-REPORT-FINAL.PDF\">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<a href=\"https:\/\/www.marinecorpstimes.com\/flashpoints\/2020\/03\/26\/the-marines-want-to-get-rid-of-their-tanks-heres-why\/?web=1&wdLOR=c7FA533D6-1188-49E0-A358-713AFBD88599\"> decision to divest<\/a> in tanks, artillery, infantry units, and light attack air platforms.<\/p><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. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.flir.com\/products\/black-hornet-prs\/\">Miniature drones<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/sites\/davidhambling\/2020\/05\/22\/battlefield-augmented-reality-gets-real\/?sh=799ce0a37d8e\">augmented-reality<\/a> headsets, and improved communications gear are becoming part of the modern soldier's combat load. To take full advantage of the <a href=\"https:\/\/elistair.com\/orion-tethered-drone\/\">technological advances<\/a>, many of the limitations present in current telecommunications solutions will need to be addressed.<\/p><h2><strong>Where Tethered Drones Fit In<\/strong><\/h2><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><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><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 <a href=\"https:\/\/elistair.com\/tethered-drones-benefits\/\">are a much better<\/a> tool for use in this application.<\/p><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><p><img class=\"wp-image-22056 alignright\" src=\"https:\/\/elistair.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Tethered-Drone-Aerial-Antenna-2-169x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"230\" height=\"408\" \/><\/p><h4>Unlimited autonomy is the first critical benefit of tethered drones<\/h4><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 <a href=\"https:\/\/elistair.com\/tethered-drones-benefits\/\">20 to 30 minutes<\/a>. Even the most ambitious designs can only remain in flight for an hour or so.<\/p><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><p>Elistair's Orion 2 drone utilizes the <a href=\"https:\/\/elistair.com\/safe-t-tethered-drone-station\/\">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><h4>Keeping soldiers safe from radio frequencies, jamming risks and fly aways<\/h4><p><img class=\"wp-image-22058 alignleft\" src=\"https:\/\/elistair.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Tethered-drones-frontline-operations-300x169.png\" alt=\"radios\" width=\"434\" height=\"244\" \/><\/p><p>From a safety perspective,<a href=\"https:\/\/www.rotordronepro.com\/drone-flying-erratically-cause\/\"> 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><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 <a href=\"https:\/\/www.fcc.gov\/engineering-technology\/electromagnetic-compatibility-division\/radio-frequency-safety\/faq\/rf-safety#:~:text=Exposure%20to%20very%20high%20RF,heat%20that%20could%20be%20generated.\">exposure to dangerous RF levels<\/a>. <strong>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, <strong>\"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><h4>Tethered drones are easy to deploy<\/h4><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.<br \/>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><h2><strong>Existing Solutions & The Limitations of Ground-Based Equipment<\/strong><\/h2><p>For most militaries, the telecommunications world is a centralized model shifting to a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.fcc.gov\/engineering-technology\/electromagnetic-compatibility-division\/radio-frequency-safety\/faq\/rf-safety#:~:text=Exposure%20to%20very%20high%20RF,heat%20that%20could%20be%20generated.\">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 <a href=\"https:\/\/armedforcesentertainment.com\/news\/afe-presents-a-celebration-of-radio-history\/\">Vietnam-era man-portable<\/a> radios to <a href=\"https:\/\/armedforcesentertainment.com\/news\/afe-presents-a-celebration-of-radio-history\/\">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><p>Radios such as SINCGARS are often<a href=\"https:\/\/www.militaryaerospace.com\/communications\/article\/16708673\/tactical-vhf-communications-antenna-for-use-with-sincgars\"> 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 <a href=\"https:\/\/elistair.com\/orion-tethered-drone\/\">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><h4>Tethered drones can expand the network node to provide additional range to soldiers.<\/h4><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><p>According to Mr. Stone, <strong>\"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. <strong>\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><h4>The modern soldier requires collecting and acting on ISR to shoot, move, and communicate.<\/h4><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 <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nationaldefensemagazine.org\/articles\/2019\/1\/3\/viewpoint-three-defense-department-tactical-comms-challenges-for-2019\">internet of battlefield things<\/a> (IoBT).<img class=\"alignright size-medium wp-image-22052\" src=\"https:\/\/elistair.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Equipped-soldiers-tactical-telecommunications-267x300.png\" alt=\"soldiers for tactical communications\" width=\"267\" height=\"300\" \/><\/p><p>Additionally, legacy military communication systems<a href=\"https:\/\/www.nationaldefensemagazine.org\/articles\/2019\/1\/3\/viewpoint-three-defense-department-tactical-comms-challenges-for-2019\"> 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 <a href=\"https:\/\/www.electronics-notes.com\/articles\/radio\/modulation\/quadrature-amplitude-modulation-what-is-qam-basics.php\">QAM<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.maximintegrated.com\/en\/glossary\/definitions.mvp\/term\/QPSK\/gpk\/244\">QPSK<\/a>, and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.mobileworldlive.com\/huawei-updates\/dynamic-spectrum-sharing-dss-an-update-on-recent-vendor-activity\">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><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 <a href=\"https:\/\/www.afcea.org\/content\/crisis-pending-military-satellite-communications\">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><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 <a href=\"https:\/\/www.afcea.org\/content\/tactical-communications-solutions-offer-promise\">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><h2><strong>What Warfighters Need From Tac<\/strong><strong>tical Telecommunications<\/strong><\/h2><p>\u00a0<\/p><p>In their C3 (Command, Control, and Communications) <a href=\"https:\/\/dodcio.defense.gov\/Portals\/0\/Documents\/DoD-C3-Strategy.pdf\">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><p>This strategy, released in September 2020, highlights what many militaries worldwide know and are already preparing for; the future of warfare will require <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.armyupress.army.mil\/Journals\/Military-Review\/English-Edition-Archives\/May-June-2020\/Blumberg-Int-Tactical-Network\/\">integrated tactical mobile networks<\/a><\/strong> and the equipment to optimize them.<\/p><h4>As the fight becomes more mobile, combatants will not have the time to stop and set up static positions.<\/h4><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 <a href=\"https:\/\/www.armyupress.army.mil\/Journals\/Military-Review\/English-Edition-Archives\/May-June-2020\/Blumberg-Int-Tactical-Network\/\">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><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><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 <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=72fZlnD6ydQ\">laptops, tablets, and even smartphones<\/a> to transfer and receive information over WiFi, LTE, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.intel.com\/content\/www\/us\/en\/support\/articles\/000005714\/wireless\/legacy-intel-wireless-products.html\">MIMO<\/a>, and Mobile Network-Multiple Input Multiple Output<a href=\"https:\/\/silvustechnologies.com\/why-silvus\/technology\/#:~:text=ADVANCING%20THE%20LIMITS%20OF%20MIMO,that%20face%20today's%20wireless%20systems.\"> (MN-MIMO)<\/a>.<\/p><p><img class=\"wp-image-22053 alignleft\" src=\"https:\/\/elistair.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Pop-up-telecom-emergency-communication-300x169.jpg\" alt=\"radio tactical comms\" width=\"481\" height=\"270\" \/><\/p><p><strong>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 <a href=\"https:\/\/silvustechnologies.com\/why-silvus\/technology\/introduction-to-manet\/\">wireless mesh networks (MANET).<\/a> The system can even be attached to drones like <a href=\"https:\/\/www.unmannedsystemstechnology.com\/2019\/09\/mimo-radio-incorporated-into-tethered-uas\/\">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><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><h2>\u00a0<\/h2><h2>Tethered Drones as key assets to optimize and protect network integrity<\/h2><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><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><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><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":[247],"tags":[259],"class_list":["post-29982","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-general-information-about-tethered-drones","tag-articles"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v24.2 (Yoast SEO v24.2) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>Tethered Drone Systems vs. Traditional UAVs: Main Differences<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"All you need to know about the differences between tethered drones and traditional UAVs, and the advantages and inconvenients of each.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" 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