• Provides a standardized user experience (UX) across multiple air vehicles, communication platforms and end-user devices for streamlined operation and deployment

• Improves battlefield communication and collaboration by enabling users to easily share real-time information and coordinate mission-critical decisions 

• Builds upon AeroVironment’s legacy ground control system (GCS) and adapts to today’s network-centric battlefield environment

AeroVironment’s new Crysalis Ground Control Solution (Photo: AeroVironment, Inc.)

ARLINGTON, Va. July 7, 2021 – AeroVironment, Inc. (NASDAQ: AVAV), a global leader in intelligent, multi-domain robotic systems, today introduced Crysalis™, the company’s next-generation ground control solution. Crysalis is an integrated hardware and software-based ground control system (GCS) that provides command and control of compatible AeroVironment unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) and their payloads, through an intuitive user experience (UX).

Built around three core elements – software, hardware, and antennas – Crysalis was designed to make operating robotic systems easier than ever before. Crysalis offers complete interchangeability, either as modular elements or turnkey systems, both adaptable to meet specific mission requirements. Crysalis is cross-platform compatible with Android, Microsoft Windows and Linux operating systems. The new GCS is available in multiple configurations ranging from lightweight and wearable to mobile and command center systems that are modular and scalable.

Crysalis was designed with the operator in mind, featuring an intuitive user interface (UI) to reduce cognitive load and training burden while enhancing situational awareness and battlefield collaboration. Through the easy-to-use Crysalis Control app, users can plan and execute flight missions as well as navigate and control UAS assets and payloads with one-click access to critical information, modes and telemetry meta data. Additional operational participants can gain enhanced situational awareness, share information and collaborate on tactical decisions by accessing telemetry and downlink data through remote video terminals, while also allowing them to capture data directly on their devices. Crysalis standardizes the user experience across all AeroVironment small UAS platforms, simplifying the training requirements and operation of Puma™, Raven® and Wasp®.

“With the introduction of Crysalis, we are streamlining command and control of our small UAS and empowering warfighters with actionable intelligence at the speed of war to increase their tactical decision making,” said Wahid Nawabi, AeroVironment chairman and chief executive officer. “Crysalis can be integrated into our portfolio of intelligent, multi-domain robotic systems and deliver easy-to-use, yet powerful new capabilities that enable our customers to succeed in full spectrum operations.”

The Crysalis GCS is available in scalable hardware configurations with all necessary software components pre-configured for quick mission deployment. These range from the Crysalis Ultralight GCS that provides full control of UAS and payloads through virtual control or tactile joysticks on a wearable smartphone configuration to Crysalis Command GCS – a command center configuration featuring a ruggedized laptop. Every Crysalis GCS configuration is natively compatible with AeroVironment’s Digital Data Link™ (DDL™) radios and antennas, is designed for plug-and-play compatibility with Nett Warrior and can integrate with both third party command and control and battlefield management applications.

“As a software-based ecosystem, Crysalis will continue to develop and evolve based on customer needs and front-line user feedback with expanded aircraft command and control capabilities, software features and IoBT compatible functionality,” said Tom Vaneck, AeroVironment vice president of solution strategy.

For more information on AeroVironment’s Crysalis next-generation ground control solution, visit www.avinc.com/crysalis.

DroneShield Ltd (ASX:DRO) is pleased to announce the release of Immediate Response Kit (IRK), a rapidly deployable C-UAS detection and defeat kit.

IRK consists of an RfPatrol portable (1.2kg/2.6lbs incl battery) detection device and a DroneGun MKIII (2.1kg/4.7lbs incl. battery) defeat device, in a single rugged carry case.

The kit is available now to approved purchasers. Both RfPatrol and DroneGun MKIII are mature products, currently fielded by a number of military and Government agency customers globally.

Oleg Vornik, DroneShield CEO, commented “IRK was released in response to multiple customer requests for a single portable response kit, incorporating two of our market leading products in their segments, RfPatrol and DroneGun MKIII.“

Additional information about the Immediate Response Kit (IRK) can be found here:

www.droneshield.com/irk

DroneShield Releases Next Generation Optical AI SoftwareDroneShield Ltd (ASX:DRO) (“DroneShield” or the “Company”) is pleased to announce the release of DroneOptIDTM 2.0, the second generation version of its optical Artificial Intelligence/Machine Learning based software.

The original DroneOptIDTM system, developed in collaboration with the University of Technology Sydney (UTS) under a Defence Innovation Network grant from the Australian Government, has paved the way into a sophisticated AI-based software engine to detect, classify and track small, rapidly moving UAS, as well as their payloads.

The updates include a substantial overall enhancement of the engine, effectiveness in a wider range of environments including night-time via thermal sensors, improved detection and classification of UAS payloads and cutting-edge technology estimating the target distance and altitude from the sensor.

The update is provided as part of the overall the DroneSentry-C2TM command-and-control ecosystem. The software processes imagery from a number of third-party camera hardware partners, including TRAKKA cameras, as part of the on-vehicle TIPS-C solution.

DroneShield utilises its proprietary techniques in signal processing and Machine Learning/AI to do near-real time detection and identification of unmanned robotic systems, with DroneOptIDTM being the optical sensor stream of work in parallel with RFAI cutting edge software engine in the radiofrequency sensing space.

The software is designed to run on all DroneSentryTM platforms incorporating a camera sensor.

Oleg Vornik, DroneShield’s CEO, commented, “DroneOptIDTM carries our cutting-edge AI capabilities in the optical/thermal space, along with out RFAI global leadership in the AI processing of the radiofrequency spectrum. In addition to enabling a variety of cameras substantially enhanced capabilities of target tracking via a layer of software, it also opens the door to a variety of sophisticated target tracking applications on battlefield, cluttered urban and other complex environments, for a variety of threats, which is of interest to our existing and prospective Government and military customer base.”

Record-breaking flight demonstrates capacity for true persistent surveillance, counter-drone measures

AFTON, Va.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Zenith AeroTech, a leading developer of heavy-lift tethered aerial vehicles (TAVs), announced that, over the span of a week, its Quad 8 multi-rotor platform flew a total of 161 hours and 49 minutes—108 hours of which were continuous, uninterrupted flight.

In doing so, the TAV far exceeded the capabilities of competing tethered drones and demonstrated its ability to serve as a long-endurance platform for persistent surveillance.

“Small, multirotor-type drones are notorious for their limited air endurance. By contrast, tethered aerial vehicles, which draw power from a generator on the ground, can stay aloft for hours at a stretch,” said Kutlay Kaya, CEO of Zenith AeroTech. “But no other TAV company has ever been able to fly a platform for as long as we just did. This is a major technological breakthrough for small unmanned systems.”

The test, which took place over a seven-day period at the company’s facility in Afton, was initiated at the request of a government customer prior to delivery. The Quad 8 TAV, which carried an electro-optical/infrared camera and an Echodyne EchoFlight radar, flew for most of that time, only coming down twice, during lightning storms, which had to be waited out.

“We observed all the FAA regulations for day and nighttime operation,” Kaya said. “Our team was on site around the clock, with people taking 8-hour shifts to watch the TAV and the Ground Power-Tether Management System. There were two times we had to bring down the Quad 8, but as soon as those storms subsided, the TAV was back in the air. We flew through 18 hours of light to heavy rain with wind gusts up to 40 mph.”

Zenith AeroTech recently partnered with Sydney-based DroneShield to provide enhanced drone-detection capabilities and countermeasures. In putting DroneShield’s DroneSentry-C2 command-and-control application, along with an Echodyne radar, onto a TAV, Zenith AeroTech provided a platform with a higher elevation than the standard mast. This eliminated clutter and false positives, allowing for better counter-drone detection. Now it provides extreme long-endurance too.

“By demonstrating more than 100 hours of flight time, we’ve opened up our TAV to all sorts of mission sets and customers,” Kaya said. “It’s a really very exciting.”

Learn more about Zenith AeroTech here: zenithaerotech.com.

Partnership between companies to enable better, longer range drone detection with countermeasuresAFTON, VA: Zenith AeroTech, a leading developer of highly customizable, heavy-lift tethered aerial vehicles (TAVs), announced today that it is partnering with Sydney and Virginia-based DroneShield to provide enhanced drone detection capabilities, along with a range of countermeasures.

As part of the distribution agreement with DroneShield, Zenith AeroTech will incorporate DroneShield’s DroneSentry-C2TM command-and-control ecosystem into its own family of TAVs, along with an Echodyne EchoFlight radar, to counter drone or drone swarm attacks.

“By putting a detection capability on a TAV, which typically flies at 400 feet, you get better range than if you were to have these systems on a pole or ground vehicle,” said Kutlay Kaya, CEO of Zenith Aerotech. “Also, your alerts will be more accurate because, at elevation, you’ve eliminated clutter.”

The integration of Echodyne radars on Zenith Aerotech’s TAV also enables simplified mission planning, added Shane Shamblin, Echodyne’s director of DoD Programs.

Zenith AeroTech offers three different TAV platforms: Hexa, Quad 8, and Quadro.

In contrast to standard drones, these three TAVs can stay aloft for hours—and even days—at a stretch thanks to Zenith’s Ground Power-Tether Management System, which converts 120- or 240-volt AC power from a generator (or another source) into high-voltage DC, powering both platform and payload.

The platforms themselves can carry 10-30 pounds of payload, and Zenith AeroTech is always experimenting with different mixes of sensors, communications and other equipment to proactively address emerging threats.

In addition to a capable drone-detection solution, the company will be offering DroneShield’s and soft kill measures, to be used by personnel on the ground. “Because we detect inbound drones from further away, we give personnel on the ground more time to jam them,” Kaya said.

There are many potential markets for TAVs with counter-drone capabilities. The military could use them to protect forward operating bases; civilian security managers might have them fly over sensitive facilities; and law enforcement could use them to safeguard well-attended public events.

“We are already working with a couple of federal agencies, and we anticipate broader adoption of this solution,” Kaya said.

DroneShield’s CEO Oleg Vornik has commented, “DroneShield’s deployment with Zenith takes our cutting edge command-and-control ecosystem capabilities into the tethered drone domain, opening a new range of applications for our Government end-users.”

zenithaerotech.com