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SecurityDrone battery too short? Tethered overwatch for long watches
Every free-flying drone must come down to recharge, which leaves a gap in what you can see.
How do you keep a drone in the air for longer?
For a fixed site, an event or a border post, the need is simple: keep watching. A battery-powered drone can only do that until it has to return, swap and take off again.
Every free-flying drone is limited by its battery. For a task that needs one steady view, each return to swap batteries leaves a gap.
A tethered drone takes power from the ground through a cable, so it can hold position far longer. The trade-off is that it stays over one spot, which makes it an overwatch tool, not a patrol tool. Tethered operations can be done with our Vision 4.0.
Signs you have this problem
- You need one fixed view for hours, not a moving patrol
- Battery swaps leave gaps in coverage
- Radio interference is a concern at the site
- You want a raised viewpoint without building a mast
What to look for
- Continuous power through the tether
- A secure wired data link
- Quick set-up from a vehicle or the ground
- A clear plan for when you need to move instead
The main causes
Battery life
Flight time is the limit on every free-flying drone.
Handover gaps
Coverage stops while a drone lands, swaps and climbs again.
Radio links
Wireless video and control can be jammed.
Before and after
How to solve it, step by step
- 1
Set up
Place the ground unit on a vehicle or the ground.
- 2
Raise
The drone climbs on its cable to the viewing height.
- 3
Hold
Power flows up and video comes down the wire.
- 4
Watch
Keep a steady view of the perimeter, event or post.
Common questions
How long can a tethered drone fly?
It is not limited by a flight battery in the usual way, but real duration depends on the system, the conditions and maintenance needs. Ask us about your requirement.
Can a tethered drone be jammed?
Its wired data link is not affected by RF jamming, which is one of its main advantages.
When should I not use a tethered drone?
When you need to search or patrol. It cannot go beyond its cable, so use a free-flying drone for those jobs.
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Tell us about your mission and our engineers will suggest the right platform or configuration.