Allied Drones Unveils New Tethered HV44 “HornetCAM”
The next generation of the tethered HV44 “HornetCAM” UAV has been unveiled. As a tethered UAV the HV44 is capable of flight/hover times exceeding 72 hours of continuous operation. From a safety standpoint, scenarios of a “run-away UAV” are not possible because the HV44 cannot exceed its tether.
Solar, wind, chemical, and petroleum infrastructure inspection, bridge and dam inspection, and applications such as antenna mast extension (such as on marine vessels) for over-the-horizon benefits are possible with the HV44. This is also true for improving communications for firefighters from their trucks in wilderness areas.
The new iteration of the HornetCAM incorporates a one piece front and rear boom assembly that allows for rapid breakdown and setup/deployment. Further improvements include multi-use NATO Accessory Rail payload attachment points on the top, bottom, and sides of the fuselage, a single-plug payload interface for rapid payload swaps, and the use of an exportable commercial autopilot.
Power to operate the HV44 is supplied by SkywireTM, a Teflon-coated microfilament cable connected to a ground control station using a vehicle-mounted power inverter, gas generator, or a number of other sources such as mains power. The standard tether length between the HV44 and ground control station is 100 meters, with the option of an extended tether of 120 meters.
In addition to long endurance, other unique aspects of the HV44 system include a small operational footprint (it can be man-packable,) quiet operation, and a short learning process for new operators.
Deployment time from packing case to flight is sub-3 minutes.
The HV44 can carry a variety of payloads including fully-stabilized EO/IR HD camera gimbals, high-resolution photogrammetry equipment, multi-spectral sensors, and 20MP high-resolution still imagers.
Maximum payload capacity is 2 kilograms (4.4 pounds.)
For more information or photographs, please contact Steve Smith at [email protected], Tel:
415-601-5575.
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