Mary-Louise Hoffman
A Defense Department organization is examining the potential use of an AeroVironment-built tethered unmanned aircraft system to facilitate intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance and security operations.
AeroVironment developed the Tether Eye UAS as part of the company’s contract with DoD’s Combating Terrorism Technical Support Office, the company said Monday.
CTTSO operates under the Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Special Operations/Low-Intensity Conflict.
“Having the ability to deploy a ‘virtual observation tower’ at a moment’s notice above buildings and vehicles represents a game-changing capability for ISR and security operations that has the potential to save lives,” noted Amanda Toman, a CTTSO program manager.
“We look forward to continuing our evaluation of Tether Eye’s capabilities with AeroVironment as a possible deployable capability across government facilities,” Toman added.
The Tether Eye is designed to launch from a small self-contained base station and fly at a pre-determined hover altitude to provide a 360-degree coverage area for its operators on the ground.
AeroVironment built the UAS with an electro-optical and infrared camera technology that works to transmit full motion videos to a ground control station.
The company also integrated its Digital Data Link into the drone with the goal to secure communications between the aircraft and other platforms.
