U.S. Army Tethered Drone with EW Pod Trials Begin
- TCOM, a provider of tethered Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS), announced successful trials of its Falcon UAS at the National Training Centre (NTC) at Fort Irwin, California.
- The Falcon product line offers multiple UAS variants for continuous surveillance and modular payload integration.
- During the NTC trials, the Falcon UAS was equipped with the Mastodon Beast+, a specialized EW system.
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TCOM‘s Falcon Tethered UAS Demonstrates 30-day Endurance, EW Capabilities in NTC Trials
TCOM, a provider of tethered Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS), announced successful trials of its Falcon UAS at the National Training Centre (NTC) at Fort Irwin, California. The Falcon system demonstrated continuous flight for up to 30 days and integrated wiht the Mastodon Beast+, an electronic warfare (EW) system used by the U.S. military, according to a company statement released November 15, 2023. The system is designed for demanding environments and can carry payloads up to 30 pounds.
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The Falcon product line offers multiple UAS variants for continuous surveillance and modular payload integration. All three models are compatible with tablet, laptop, and IP-network interfaces, and can be launched and recovered from vehicles traveling up to 25 mph. A backup battery and customized autonomy controls enhance operational reliability.
Key Features and Capabilities of the Falcon UAS
- Endurance: Up to 30 consecutive days of sustained flight.
- Payload Capacity: Supports payloads up to 30 lbs.
- Environmental Resilience: Engineered for all-weather conditions, including heavy rain and maritime environments.
- Altitude: operates at altitudes of up to 400 feet.
- Payload integration: compatible with electro-optical/infrared (EO/IR) sensors, radar, and communications relays.
- Mobility: Mobile launch and recovery at speeds up to 25 mph.
- Interfaces: Compatible with tablet, laptop, and IP-network interfaces.
Electronic Warfare Integration with Mastodon Beast+
During the NTC trials, the Falcon UAS was equipped with the Mastodon Beast+, a specialized EW system. The Mastodon Beast+ is utilized by the U.S. military for detecting, direction finding, and jamming adversary signals. Defense Electronics reported in August 2023 that the U.S. Army selected the Mastodon Beast+ system.
Integrating the falcon UAS with the Mastodon Beast+ provides a persistent, elevated platform for EW operations, extending the range and effectiveness of signal intelligence and electronic attack capabilities.This combination allows for real-time situational awareness and the ability to disrupt enemy communications and radar systems.