Skyfront Unveils Control Handoff Capability During First Drone Delivery to a Submarine

The long-endurance hybrid-electric Skyfront Perimeter drone was recently used to perform the first ship-to-submarine delivery via small unmanned aircraft. During the historic flight, the Perimeter took off from a moving surface vessel and delivered supplies to the crew of the ballistic missile submarine, in a quick and cost-effective way to resupply submarines at sea.

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Skyfront Perimeter UAS resupplies submarine (Photo: Business Wire)

Skyfront Perimeter UAS resupplies submarine (Photo: Business Wire)

The flight unveiled Skyfront’s command and control handoff capability. During the flight, pilots aboard the surface vessel launched the drone and flew it near the submarine. Once there, pilots aboard the submarine took control of the drone and released the package onto the top of the sub.

Command and control handoff is offered as an option on all Skyfront Perimeter unmanned aerial vehicles, including those integrated with Silvus Technologies’ best-in-class Streamcaster radios for the data link and Optimum Solutions’ long range tracking antennas. The option allows an unlimited number of pilots and ground control stations to seamlessly view video from and take control of the Perimeter UAV at any time. Pilots can control the drone with joysticks or with Skyfront’s satellite map software.

The capability is essential for long range missions to maintain line-of-sight control by using multiple distributed pilots to comply with some countries’ aviation rules and regulations. It also allows pilots to maintain full control of the vehicle while flying over rugged terrain where radio links are likely to be compromised by line-of-sight obstructions.

About Skyfront

Skyfront manufactures the longest endurance hybrid-electric multirotor drones in the world, with proven flight times of 5 hours. Skyfront's UAVs are designed and equipped for beyond-visual-line-of-sight missions, including video, telemetry and control links up to 60 miles (100 km) away from the ground control station. Customers use the Perimeter for inspection and surveillance missions worldwide due to extremely long flight times, communications range, safety, rapid deployment, and ease of use. For more information, please visit www.skyfront.com.