By Phoebe Grinter – Unmanned Systems Technology (UST)
EuroLink Systems has enhanced the Beluga family of mini-drones with a water take-off
and landing capability that opens-up a range of applications
EuroLink Systems has confirmed that it has extended the capability of its Beluga mini-drone to provide a unique water take-off and landing capability, a feature the company believes will open-up a range of applications not previously met.
An essential capability for many maritime and aquatic-related applications, EuroLink believes Beluga’s new water take-off and landing capability is a statement of how flexible and configurable the platform is.
EuroLink has designed and integrated various technologies into the Beluga drone platform to allow customers to ‘pick and choose’ those capabilities that fit the target application to realize an integrated, out-of-the-box capability.
According to EuroLink, it offers the Beluga as a fully tested, validated and certified deployable drone solution, consistent with customer specifications, at around a third of the cost of other similar solutions.
Target application emphasis is on:
- Surveillance/Reconnaissance
- Search & Rescue
- 3D Terrain Mapping
- Critical Transport
- Evacuation Support Monitoring
- Security Threat Monitoring
- Suspicious Behavior Monitoring
- Situation Analysis
- Obstructive Search & Avoidance.
EuroLink, in collaboration with other industry partners, has tested the Beluga mini drone solution over the last three years – gaining acceptance with Military Operations with strict TRL7 and TRL8 projects that were performance-based and being applied to stringent, high-demand applications.
According to EuroLink, overall evaluation cites Beluga as a versatile drone platform with advanced technologies, high adaptability to different mission profiles, and demonstrating performance characteristics not often realized with other mini-drones in its class.
Technology mix (on-board capability):
EuroLink has approached the development of the Beluga family of drone products from an Ecosystem standpoint.
This is reflected by the range of technologies on-board and the various platform configurations that can be assembled to meet target applications and demanding environmental conditions.
Beluga can operate, as a dedicated drone or within a SWARM operation. The platform hosts advanced technologies including EO/IR, multi-spectral LIDAR, GPR, Laser Designator, RF Catcher, GAS/CBNR Detectors, Carriers, 4G/5G Satellite Comms and a specially designed AI suite (with AI processing capability on-board).
Beluga users have indicated that it delivers an ROI that can be realized within the first 3-to-6 months of operational use.
Key Beluga characteristics:
Beluga’s capabilities are varied depending on the mission requirements, although key characteristics include:
- 60-minute endurance
- 60 MPH rated speed
- Operating Temperature range from -25 degrees C to +55 degrees C (desert to arctic range use)
- Water resistance: unfavorable ambient conditions of rain, landing on water, snow, etc.
- Low-noise propeller/blade technology – resulting in Silent Drone Operation’
- 25 mile RLOS
- 16,400 feet maximum sailing altitude
- Military and Commercial Auto Pilot options