Swift Engineering subsidiary Swift Tactical Systems has entered into a strategic alliance with Silvus Technologies that will result in the companies combining Swift’s UAS with Silvus' advanced MIMO communication systems for tactical applications.

Through the commercial agreement, Swift will equip its family of American made UAS with the locally manufactured radios, which will allow the company to accelerate its product roadmap and the delivery of its government contracts.

The companies say that the combined systems will not only bolster commercial and advanced military missions, but also research and development for future applications.

“Swift Tactical Systems is utilizing Silvus radios to support complex missions and RF requirements, enabling our suite of unmanned systems to pull C2, telemetry, and all of our sensor data for reliable, unparalleled datalink capabilities,” explains Alex Echeverria, vice president of Swift Tactical Systems.

“The flexibility and adaptability of Silvus Technologies will enable us to accelerate the delivery of our UAVs for highly sensitive missions.”

Earlier this year, Swift was awarded a $17 million contract to launch a comprehensive UAS program for the Bahamas government agencies and ministries. 55 of Swift’s short and medium-range drones will be used to accelerate the Bahamas' mandate to fight crime, curb drug and gun trafficking, illegal immigration, human trafficking, and poaching.

“Swift is a strong, strategic partner of Silvus who's systems not only support warfighter activities, but infrastructure and surveillance support for the Bahamas,” says Kasey Cooper, director of Unmanned Systems for Silvus Technologies.

“A Swift unmanned system integrated with Silvus Streamcaster will increase the situational awareness of Bahamian agencies, and the beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) structures and installations that need surveillance. We are proud to contribute to this incredibly talented Swift team.”

Other projects that Swift plans to use the radios on include its High-Altitude Long Endurance (HALE) aircraft, which is currently under development in a project with NASA.