CTTSO Evaluating New AeroVironment Tethered UAS
Photo: CTTSO
AeroVironment Inc. announced today that the U.S. Combatting Terrorism Technical Support Office (CTTSO) is evaluating the company’s new tethered unmanned aircraft system, named Tether Eye, for intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance and security applications. The CTTSO funded the development program under a U.S. government contract.
The AeroVironment Tether Eye UAS is designed to provide continuous, 24-hour-a-day surveillance at up to 150 feet above its launch point. Tether Eye deploys automatically from a small, weather-sealed, self-contained base station and ascends to a predetermined hover altitude from where viewers of its video feed take advantage of its 360-degree field of view. The specially designed and ruggedized tether connecting Tether Eye to its base station provides continuous power, which, combined with AeroVironment’s track record of proven reliability, enables uninterrupted long-term operation.
“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,” says Amanda Toman, program manager at the CTTSO. “We look forward to continuing our evaluation of Tether Eye’s capabilities with AeroVironment as a possible deployable capability across government facilities.”
Current Tether Eye payloads include electro-optical and infrared cameras and AeroVironment’s encrypted Digital Data Link. The EO/IR camera provides both day and night imagery with full-motion video transmitted directly to a ground control station that operates each platform within AeroVironment’s family of small UAS and tactical missile systems. The DDL integrated to each of AeroVironment’s platforms provides secure communication with the UAS and communications relay with other platforms.
“Tether Eye effectively complements our family of small UAS by providing a valuable new capability — continuous ISR and security for buildings or stationary vehicles in defense, security and commercial applications,” says Kirk Flittie, AeroVironment vice president and general manager of its UAS business segment.
“We intend to continue developing Tether Eye through to production and include and it as a standard component of our product portfolio. Close communications with our initial customers will guide and inform future enhancements and production releases, resulting in another effective AeroVironment solution that helps our customers succeed.”
