LANTERN – Tethered Unmanned Aerial System

Medium Ruggedized Tethered UAS for Vehicles and Boats

LANTERN follows host platform up to 25 MPH
LANTERN is environmentally sealed against the elements
LANTERN is protected in a custom enclosure
LANTERN's elevated position provides extended Line of Site communications
LANTERN can follow host platforms at 200 ft in altitude up to 25 mph

LANTERNTM Tethered UAS (TeUAS) is a UAS on an extension cord. LANTERNTM lifts payloads, such as cameras and radios/antennas up to 200 ft. with 400+ hours of endurance. Just by lifting up an antenna, LANTERNTM can extend ground/boat radio line of site from 8 miles to 20+ miles!

Designed for harsh conditions, LANTERNTM supports border security, stationary operations, small tactical units, and it dismounts in all terrain. With a 6 lb payload capacity, the UAS can lift multiple payloads including EO/IR cameras and a radio for data backhaul.

Use cases include extending the range of unmanned surface vessels (unmanned boats) and port/harbor security. In under two minutes, the system can deploy to altitude and provide elevated persistent surveillance at parades, festivals, events and marathons.

Use Cases

  • Perimeter / border security
  • Emergency portable cell phone tower
  • Port/stadium security
  • Traffic monitoring
  • Air quality monitoring
  • Radio range extension of unmanned boats and ground vehicles
  • Telecommunications
  • Long endurance environmental assessments & surveys
  • Soldier/ convoy over-watch
  • Increased battlefield communications and situational awareness

LANTERNTM Features

  • Stabilized, vehicle-agnostic, rugged tethered UAV: Deploy from manned or unmanned platforms (boats/vehicles). Autonomous operations from self-contained system which tracks host platform: truck, boat, ship, etc.
  • Intelligently follows the host vehicle at speeds up to 25 mph
  • Deploy/recover in under 2 minutes
  • 24/7 Endurance: operate as long as needed for without landing to change batteries
  • Automation: automated take-off, flight and following, and landing
  • User interface: simple, easy, 1-screen interface for UAV control
  • Installation: Vehicle agnostic; non-permanent installation
  • Speed/altitude: 25+ mph, at up to 200 ft above ground level
  • Secure Ethernet command/control through tether prevents jamming/hacking

Technical Description

  • Payload: 6 lbs EO/IR and Comm relay payloads
  • Altitude: 200 ft.
  • Small Footprint: One Enclosure
  • Dimensions (LxWxH): 74" x 44" x 23”
  • Ground Power Unit (GPU): 36.5” x 22.5” x 19”
  • Power: VAC: 180-240 VAC, 4000W (Generator, inverter, etc) or 28 VDC
  • Speed: 25+ MPH winds
  • Reduced operators: Payload operator flies UAV.
  • Simple GUI and minimal operator input: Enable, Takeoff, Land & Change Altitude.

For more information, contact DPI