Persistent Systems has recently unveiled a strategic five-year partnership wiht Hoverfly Technologies Inc., a leader in tethered drone solutions. As part of this collaboration, Hoverfly will integrate its technology into the Wave Relay Ecosystem, a coalition of companies specializing in unmanned systems and sensors that utilize the Wave Relay mobile ad hoc network (MANET) in their products. Both of Hoverfly’s tethered small unmanned aircraft systems (sUAS), LiveSky and BigSky, will be incorporated into this Ecosystem, with the Wave Relay MANET serving as the primary interaction framework.
“We are excited to expand the Ecosystem and welcome new technologies that contribute to the advancement of a connected battlefield,” stated Brian Soles, Director of business Development at Persistent systems. “the Wave Relay MANET is designed to scale and function effectively in urban settings, where both LiveSky and BigSky excel.”
By integrating Persistent’s MANET radios into their sUAS, Hoverfly significantly enhances the operational capabilities of its drones in densely populated areas. the tethering feature of livesky and BigSky enables them to ascend above high-rise buildings, thereby extending the network’s reach. This enhanced networking capability equips military personnel with real-time situational awareness, facilitating swift tactical decisions.
“As the Army progresses towards a fully networked battlefield, the incorporation of the Wave Relay MANET into our tethered drones significantly boosts communication, intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance (ISR), and security capabilities,” remarked Rob Topping, CEO of Hoverfly.“This integration provides a vital communication link that supports a complete networked solution.”
The Hoverfly systems operate at an altitude of 200 feet,where a tether cable ensures continuous power supply and high-speed Ethernet connectivity. With the Embedded Module now part of Hoverfly’s offerings,users can take advantage of the extensive range and performance that the MANET provides in this unobstructed,beneficial position,allowing for connectivity over considerable distances.
“This collaboration marks a pivotal enhancement to the Ecosystem. By offering an advanced communication relay, we extend the range and performance of all Wave Relay Ecosystem products. Unmanned ground robots can now operate more effectively in intricate urban landscapes,and sensor data can be accessed from greater distances. The integration of the Wave Relay MANET with Hoverfly’s systems is a genuine force multiplier on the networked battlefield,” added Brian Soles.
