Authorities in Defence and Homeland Security are increasingly adopting commercial communications solutions to enhance drone operations beyond the visual line of sight, according to Elsight co-founder Roee Kashi. The company's Halo connectivity solution has seen substantial uptake over the past six months due to its cost efficiency and low size, weight, and power requirements.
“It makes sense that solutions which have had great success in the commercial industry are found to be valuable for defence,” Kashi stated during a webinar hosted by the Association for Uncrewed Vehicle Systems International. Elsight reported an 83% increase in revenue for the first half of 2024 compared to the same period in 2023, highlighting the growing acceptance of Halo in the global homeland security and defence markets.
Halo, a patented platform designed specifically for drone flights beyond the visual line of sight, supports LTE, 5G, and satellite communications. This versatility has facilitated its integration into new drone products across Europe, the United States, Australia, and other regions.
Military leaders are leveraging commercial technologies to respond swiftly to national security challenges without compromising classified capabilities. “Militaries are using commercial technologies to operate freely on the battlefield without exposing top-secret capabilities,” Kashi explained.
Elsight CEO Yoav Amitai noted that the company continued to secure orders from the defence and homeland security sectors during the second quarter of 2024. “Much of the feedback from the field has accredited Elsight’s Halo as the key to unbroken communications in tactical operations of various defence organizations,” Amitai said.
One notable development in the quarter was a contract with defence giant Lockheed Martin to integrate the Halo platform into its Indago4 Quadcopter.
Elsight also achieved significant success in the commercial sector. ACSL, Japan’s largest drone manufacturer, plans to use the Halo platform in its logistics drones. In the United States, Event38 and AviSight have selected Halo for inspections of large Oil & Gas pipelines.
Governments in the United States, the UK, and Sweden have recently announced increased investments in drones and related components, indicating a robust future for drone technology in various applications. Drones continue to play a crucial role in military operations in conflict zones such as Ukraine and the Middle East, as well as in providing situational awareness for Homeland Security authorities.
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