Elsight’s Halo adds BVLOS capability to Lockheed Martin’s Indago 4 quadcopter

As part of a strategic collaboration exercise, the Halo connectivity platform of Israel’s Elsight has been rapidly integrated with Lockheed Martin’s Indago 4 quadcopter uncrewed aerial vehicle (UAV) to complete beyond-visual-line-of-sight (BVLOS) flights with enhanced capabilities and expanded operational reach, Elsight announced on 7 May 2024.

The Halo communication system is designed to seamlessly aggregate diverse IP links – public cellular, private cellular, satellite and software-defined radio – to ensure uninterrupted connectivity even in the most challenging environments.

Its integration with the Indago 4 gives the UAV “unparalleled reliability for continuous connectivity and transmission of video and data to the command-and-control centre” across varying terrain, obstacles or distances, according to Elsight.

“We designed the Halo to provide real-time situational awareness in difficult defence and public safety scenarios,” Roee Kashi, co-founder and CTO of Elsight, was quoted as saying in a company press release. “Ultimately, field commanders need to make strategic decisions at any moment and should have the widest ‘lens’ possible with all the critical information. Now, with our integration, the Indago 4 becomes the ‘eyes’ of any commander and the control centre.”

The Indago 4 quadcopter, made by Lockheed Martin Procerus Technologies, is a backpackable, electrically powered UAV with a maximum payload weight of 2.3 kg and an endurance of about an hour. Its low acoustic signature makes it a suitable platform for tactical intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance misisons. The Indago 4 typically carries high-resolution daytime or electro-optical/infra-red camera systems with significant zoom capabilities to accurately identify people, objects, vehicles and weapons.