Elistair has unveiled the Orion 2, an innovative tethered unmanned aerial system (UAS) tailored for military, governmental, and industrial applications. This hexacopter platform offers continuous surveillance capabilities for up to 24 hours, a feat previously achievable only by larger helium-filled tactical aerostats that required complex logistical support.
Designed for rapid deployment, the lightweight and robust Orion 2 features automated push-button takeoff and landing. It is equipped with a 330-foot (100-meter) micro-tether, enhancing altitude and surveillance range compared to its predecessor, and can accommodate payloads of up to 2 kg (4.5 pounds). This system functions as both an Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) and telecommunications platform, capable of streaming georeferenced electro-optical and infrared imagery together while also deploying 4G/5G communication nodes through a new fiber optic cable option.
The original Orion drone has demonstrated its reliability globally,including its deployment at the Ryder Cup in September 2018,where it monitored a crowd of 300,000 attendees for 8 to 11 hours daily. It has also been utilized by various organizations, including the French police, the British military, and the Singaporean goverment.
Timothée Penet, Elistair’s CTO and co-founder, remarked: “While small unmanned multi-rotor systems excel in hover-and-observe scenarios, they frequently enough suffer from limited battery life. Our powered tethering stations, such as the Safe 2 and Ligh-T 4, address this issue by extending flight duration, which is crucial for numerous missions.But what if you require continuous operation for an entire day?”
Pierre-Moana Levesque, Elistair’s R&D Director, added: “We incorporated redundancies at every level to ensure the Orion 2 can maintain extended flight times.As an example, we designed it to be IP54 rated, optimized the longevity of its components, including the motors, and integrated a safety battery that can recharge while in flight.”
Guilhem de Marliave, CEO and co-founder of elistair, expressed: “The orion 2 tethered drone represents a meaningful improvement over the already capable Orion, particularly in terms of endurance, logistical efficiency, and data management. We are excited about this product launch.”
Check out the video showcasing the orion 2 below:
