A tethered drone for long range surveillance

The Base of the Future will require mobile, long range surveillance capabilities to detect, track and identify (DTI) physical threats across the domains of air, land and water. NGIT is developing a persistent remote sensing watchtower capability based on a tethered drone that can, by itself or in cooperation with other units, image objects in high detail from miles away, providing not only location and velocity, but also threat capability and intent. NGIT’s Tethered Drone for Long Range Surveillance consists of three parts: a) a deployable drone based platform with the capability to lift, stabilize and steer a long range sensor package and remain operational 24/7, b) a sensor payload bringing mapping-grade location accuracy and long range visual acuity, such as using a 47 megapixel industrial camera to resolve 2.5cm resolution from 2 miles away, and c) a vehicle mounted base station providing power, command, control and edge processing. The capacity to develop and manufacture advanced multi-function drone technologies and long range surveillance systems is a strategic need for the United States. The proposed innovation is targeted at the following focus areas of AF20.A-CSO1 Phase I STTR Open Innovation in Dual Use Technology: Focus Area 11 Base of the Future and Focus Area, and 7.2 Small Unmanned Aerial System (sUAS) for Special Warfare (PEO ISR & SOF).