Zenith AeroTech, a leader in heavy-lift tethered aerial vehicles (TAVs), announced that the company has completed delivery of two Quad 8 TAVs to a federal law enforcement agency for use as a command overwatch solution during emergency response missions.
Each Quad 8 was designed to meet the customer’s need for a long-endurance aerial platform that could carry electro-optical/infrared video (EO/IR) video cameras, a communications relay system, and overhead, high-intensity light panels—all at the same time.
A public relations representative for the company was unable to share which federal agency received the technology, telling Government Fleet that the customer wished to keep the information confidential.
“The client wanted an overwatch capability to help secure their area of operations during emergency response efforts,” says Kutlay Kaya, chairman of Zenith AeroTech. “And unlike regular, untethered drones, our TAVs can stay in the air for days at time while carrying a variety of payloads.”
The Quad 8 can lift up to 20 pounds of customer-defined payloads. That’s more than enough capacity to carry a long-range EO/IR camera, a communications relay, and two 17,000-lumen weather-resistant LED panels.
“These high-powered lights are ground-controlled for intensity and on/off functions,” said Doganc Kucuk, lead designer for Zenith AeroTech. “And when they are activated, it becomes like daytime on the ground.”
Hovering at altitudes of 200 to 400 feet, the Quad 8 TAV draws its power from the Ground Power Unit (GPU), which converts AC voltage into high-voltage DC power for the TAV and its payloads. The GPU also runs an automated management system designed to operate even under inclement weather conditions.
“This smart tether system allows the operator to focus completely on the mission, which at the end of the day, is the most important thing,” Kaya said.
Zenith AeroTech has been engaged recently with universities, military organizations, and large communications providers. Company officials estimate the market for these systems will see rapid growth as more end-user applications are developed and successfully fielded.
