Precise Navigation of Autonomous Ground Vehicles
with a Tethered Drone
In future operational scenarios, the ability to ensure an accurate and continuous situational picture even in GPS-denied environments and under intensive electronic interference will be crucial. Constant real-time situational awareness is essential to remain operationally capable and resilient.
Challenging terrain, urban operational areas, and electronic countermeasures significantly complicate orientation and information gathering in these situations. Highly automated unmanned ground vehicles, so-called UGVs (Unmanned Ground Vehicles), and unmanned aerial vehicles, so-called UAVs (Unmanned Aerial Vehicles), and their reconnaissance teams secure continuous information superiority under these conditions and enable fast, risk-minimized troop movements.
This is where a newly developed system comes into play, combining an autonomous, fully electric UGV with a tethered drone to ensure precise reconnaissance and safe navigation even under the toughest conditions. By combining advanced sensors and automated vehicle control, the system remains reliably operational even with disrupted GPS and electronic interference.
Stable Communication and Precise Navigation – The Interaction of UGV and Drone
The UGV, with its fully electric drive technology, moves largely autonomously through rough terrain with a low acoustic signature, while the tethered drone continuously surveys the surroundings within the immediate vicinity of the UGV using various passive sensors, enabling real-time environmental awareness. This creates a robust and resilient solution for precise reconnaissance and safe navigation in complex operational areas.
The vehicle is equipped with high-resolution cameras and various sensors that enable autonomous orientation in the operational area. The drone remains connected to the UGV via a cable. In addition to data transmission, the cable supplies power to the drone. The wired communication between UGV and drone avoids a radio signature and reduces susceptibility to electronic countermeasures.
"The UGV supported by drones is a prime example of progress in unmanned teams. The tethered drone guarantees information gathering with reliable data transmission, while the UGV moves autonomously through complex terrain – this creates new possibilities for safe operations in the field," says Dr. Thimo Oehlschlägel, Head of Autonomous Systems Development at IAV.
Versatile Applications in Defense
The system was developed for various missions and is flexible to use thanks to its modular design. The UGV/UAV team can be used, for example, for automated reconnaissance and securing of dangerous or unknown areas. It can also transport equipment, ammunition, fuel, or medical supplies – all without personnel on site. A variant equipped with countermeasures enables the repelling of nearby drones. Due to its cost-effective design, the UGV can also be directly employed with explosives for one-way missions.
Low-Noise Operation and Rapid Availability
The UGV is based on a proven, commercially available platform and is fully electrically powered, enabling an almost silent operation – a decisive advantage for covert or especially sensitive missions. The proven vehicle base also ensures fast production and delivery capability, which is highly relevant for military clients.
Innovative Drone Technology
For missions outside military conflict zones, for example, in the protection of critical infrastructure, the tethered drone flies below 50 meters altitude and weighs less than one kilogram. This results in significantly fewer regulations and restrictions.
The cable connection continuously supplies energy to the drone and ensures lossless and interference-resistant data transmission. Thus, the system also meets the requirements of modern conflict zones where electronic disturbances, spoofing, or eavesdropping attempts particularly endanger high-tech systems.
Data Fusion and Networking
Joint reconnaissance by the drone and UGV creates a continuous real-time situational picture. Optical sensors capture high-resolution images in the visible and infrared spectrum as well as thermal signals. The fused sensor data result in an accurate, tactically usable situational picture that delivers reliable target and environmental information day and night and in poor visibility.
Automated Functions Facilitate Operations
Numerous automated features improve operational quality and usability: Follow-me modes can be used for dynamic accompaniment, the UGV autonomously returns ("Coming Home" function), waypoint navigation is intuitively displayed, and thermal cameras enable missions under limited visibility conditions. Automated takeoff and landing of the drone based solely on optical sensors while moving are also planned. The off-road capability allows flexible use in various types of terrain.
Integration into Command and Information Systems
The system is seamlessly integrated into modern battle management systems (BMS) and existing C4ISR structures. Through secure communication channels, the collected data are shared cross-domain and immediately available for command decisions. This multi-domain integration ensures that UAV and UGV teams do not operate in isolation but actively contribute to information superiority as a networked sensor system.
Low-Noise Operation and Rapid Availability
The UGV is based on a proven, commercially available platform and is fully electrically powered, enabling an almost silent operation – a decisive advantage for covert or especially sensitive missions. The proven vehicle base also ensures fast production and delivery capability, which is highly relevant for military clients.
Innovative Drone Technology
For missions outside military conflict zones, for example, in the protection of critical infrastructure, the tethered drone flies below 50 meters altitude and weighs less than one kilogram. This results in significantly fewer regulations and restrictions.
The cable connection continuously supplies energy to the drone and ensures lossless and interference-resistant data transmission. Thus, the system also meets the requirements of modern conflict zones where electronic disturbances, spoofing, or eavesdropping attempts particularly endanger high-tech systems.
Data Fusion and Networking
Joint reconnaissance by the drone and UGV creates a continuous real-time situational picture. Optical sensors capture high-resolution images in the visible and infrared spectrum as well as thermal signals. The fused sensor data result in an accurate, tactically usable situational picture that delivers reliable target and environmental information day and night and in poor visibility.
Automated Functions Facilitate Operations
Numerous automated features improve operational quality and usability: Follow-me modes can be used for dynamic accompaniment, the UGV autonomously returns ("Coming Home" function), waypoint navigation is intuitively displayed, and thermal cameras enable missions under limited visibility conditions. Automated takeoff and landing of the drone based solely on optical sensors while moving are also planned. The off-road capability allows flexible use in various types of terrain.
Integration into Command and Information Systems
The system is seamlessly integrated into modern battle management systems (BMS) and existing C4ISR structures. Through secure communication channels, the collected data are shared cross-domain and immediately available for command decisions. This multi-domain integration ensures that UAV and UGV teams do not operate in isolation but actively contribute to information superiority as a networked sensor system.
Cybersecurity as a Basic Requirement
Networking and automation require the highest security standards. Therefore, the system relies on state-of-the-art cybersecurity measures and shielding technologies to protect against hacking and electronic surveillance.
With this innovative system, a central building block for the next generation of unmanned military vehicles is laid. The combination of robust technology, automated control, and resilient communication opens new perspectives – for more safety and effectiveness in future missions.
Dr. Thimo Oehlschlägel
Senior Technical Consultant
