VULTURE Tethered Drone System | DPI UAV Systems

Summary

Key Points

• Vulture is a tethered unmanned aerial system (UAS) designed for maritime operations, providing persistent situational awareness and over-the-horizon command and control. 0:18
• The tether ensures secure communications and continuous power, allowing the UAS to function as a temporary elevated communications mast for extended periods. 0:21
• The system is housed within a Tricon refrigerated container for climate control and the aircraft is stored in a dedicated UAV hangar for protection. 0:38
• A mechanical lift system facilitates easy deployment of the aircraft from its hangar with the press of a button. 0:57
• Vulture extends connectivity beyond normal line of sight by elevating radios above sea clutter, expanding the radio horizon for reliable command and control and data relay. 1:17
• The system is payload agnostic and can carry up to 15 lbs of mission payloads, allowing integration of various sensors like electro-optical and infrared cameras. 1:29
• Its ISR capabilities are useful for anti-piracy response for offshore platforms and commercial vessels, enabling early identification of threats. 1:58
• Vulture supports port security operations by providing elevated sensors with AI-assisted anomaly detection for persistent harbor awareness. 2:21
• The system has been rigorously tested for reliable performance in challenging maritime conditions, including high speeds, harsh weather, and dynamic vessel motion. 2:34
• Vulture supports position offset operations for safe separation from the host vessel and can operate without GPS using its tether vector system. 3:17