Elistair and Exail Partner to Expand Drone Surveillance for Unmanned Surface Vessels

Elistair and Exail have announced a partnership to integrate Elistair’s Khronos automated tethered DroneBox with Exail’s DriX unmanned surface vessel (USV). The collaboration brings persistent aerial surveillance to Elistair Exail unmanned surface vessels, extending the surveillance range of maritime operations while allowing personnel to remain on shore.

The integrated system combines a tethered drone with an autonomous surface vessel to provide continuous aerial monitoring for a variety of maritime missions.

Elistair Exail Unmanned Surface Vessels Add Persistent Aerial Surveillance

The Khronos automated tethered DroneBox is launched directly from the deck of Exail’s DriX unmanned surface vessel. According to the companies, the system provides a persistent “eye in the sky” that extends surveillance beyond the range of the vessel’s onboard surface sensors while keeping operators safely on shore.

The companies said Khronos provides:

• Autonomous deployment
• “Follow-me” capability that keeps the drone positioned above the vessel
• Up to 24 hours of flight through tethered power
• Operations at an altitude of 60 meters
• Live encrypted video transmission over a secure data link
• Real-time imagery in contested, GNSS-denied environments

Maritime Operations Benefit from Extended Monitoring

According to Elistair and Exail, combining a tethered drone with a long-endurance autonomous surface vessel extends surveillance beyond the capabilities of surface radar and cameras.

Both the vessel and the drone can be operated remotely from shore. The companies said the configuration is intended for:

• Coastal surveillance
• Port protection
• Critical infrastructure protection
• Counter-trafficking operations
• Search and rescue missions

“Integrating a tethered drone on an autonomous vessel marks a major step forward for maritime surveillance,” said Guilhem de Marliave, CEO of Elistair. “Surface sensors stop at the horizon; flown from the DriX, Khronos lifts that limit with a persistent, mobile view that stays airborne for hours. For operators, that means wider coverage and earlier detection, with no crew at sea.”

Open Architecture Supports New Maritime Capabilities

Exail said the DriX was designed as an open platform capable of integrating additional payloads as mission requirements evolve.

“DriX was designed as an open platform, able to integrate new payloads as operational needs evolve,” said Stéphane Vannuffelen, Maritime Autonomy Solution Technical Director at Exail. “The integration of Khronos adds a persistent aerial perspective to the vessel’s existing surveillance capabilities, significantly extending the monitored area.”

The partnership combines autonomous surface vessel operations with persistent tethered drone surveillance to expand the operational capabilities of Elistair Exail unmanned surface vessels for maritime monitoring and security missions.

Source: Press release from Elistair