Long-Endurance Tethered Surveillance Solution
Fiber-Optic Controlled UAV for Persistent Monitoring in the Middle East
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Quick Solution Overview
This solution enables long-endurance aerial surveillance using a tethered drone system with continuous ground power supply and fiber-optic control.
It supports visible-light and thermal imaging payloads, real-time HD video transmission with HDMI output, and stable hovering for extended monitoring missions in complex environments.
Typical applications: persistent security monitoring, infrastructure surveillance, and critical-area observation in the Middle East.
Market Challenge
Long-duration aerial surveillance in the Middle East presents multiple operational challenges:
l Extreme temperatures and harsh outdoor environments
l Large-area monitoring requiring continuous hovering
l Limited endurance of battery-powered UAVs
l High risk of RF interference and unstable wireless links
l Demand for simultaneous EO & thermal imaging with external monitoring displays
Conventional drones are unable to maintain persistent operations without frequent landing, battery replacement, or signal degradation.
Application Scenario
The customer required a long-endurance UAV surveillance system with the following capabilities:
l Continuous hovering for extended missions
l Visible-light + thermal imaging payload
l Stable, low-latency video transmission
l Fiber-optic control to eliminate RF interference
l HDMI output for external command-center displays
l UAV payload capacity of 10 kg
Kitefly Tethered Surveillance Solution
Kitefly Tethered delivered a fiber-optic tethered UAV solution combining continuous power delivery and secure data transmission through an integrated tether.
The system architecture includes:
l Tethered ground power station
l High-voltage power & optical fiber integrated cable
l Regulated airborne DC/DC power module
l Industrial multi-rotor UAV platform
l Optical fiber remote controller with HDMI video output
This configuration enables persistent aerial monitoring without battery limitations or RF dependency.
Delivered Configuration (Key Technical Specifications)
Tethered Ground Power Station – G30
l Input Voltage: AC 380 V
l Output Voltage: DC 800–1000 V
l Maximum Output Power: 14 kW
l Tether Length: 150 m (with integrated optical fiber)
l Operating Mode: Passive release / Active rewind
Airborne Power Module – WF8 (Regulated)
l Output Voltage: 50 / 60 V DC (12S / 14S)
l Peak Power: 8,000 W
l Weight: ≈ 2.2 kg
UAV Platform
l Recommended Payload: 10 kg
l Payload Configuration: EO + Thermal imaging gimbal
Control & Monitoring
l Optical fiber remote control
l Real-time HD video transmission
l HDMI output for external display
Operational Outcome
After deployment, the system achieved:
n Stable long-duration hovering without battery replacement
n Clear visible and thermal imagery for continuous monitoring
n Zero RF interference due to fiber-optic control
n Reliable HDMI video output for real-time command-center viewing
n Reduced manpower requirements and operational interruptions
This solution provides a reliable, scalable platform for persistent aerial surveillance in demanding environments.
Full Technical Case Study
Detailed System Architecture & Deployment Notes
The following section provides a complete technical reference of the deployed system, including configuration logic and real delivery parameters.
Long-Endurance Tethered Surveillance Solution for Middle East Operations
1. Market Background & Regional Challenges
In the Middle East, long-duration aerial surveillance faces a unique combination of challenges:
l Extreme climate conditions with high daytime temperatures and strong winds
l Large-area monitoring requirements, often in open or semi-urban environments
l Limited battery endurance for conventional UAVs during persistent surveillance missions
l High risk of RF interference and signal instability, especially in sensitive or congested areas
l Operational demand for real-time visual and thermal imaging, with external HDMI display for command centers
For this project, the client required a stable, long-endurance aerial monitoring platform capable of continuous hovering, fiber-optic control, and simultaneous visible-light and thermal imaging, without revealing exact deployment locations.
Key pain point:
Traditional battery-powered drones could not provide reliable, uninterrupted surveillance for extended periods without frequent landing, battery replacement, or signal degradation.
2. Customer & Application Scenario
The customer operates in the security and infrastructure monitoring sector, focusing on long-endurance aerial surveillance.
Mission requirements included:
l Continuous hovering for extended periods
l Dual payload operation: EO (visible) + thermal camera
l Stable, low-latency video transmission
l Optical fiber control to eliminate RF interference risks
l HDMI output for real-time monitoring on external displays
l UAV payload capacity of 10 kg
The system needed to be deployable in the field, compatible with generators, and suitable for long-term monitoring missions without battery limitations.
3. Kitefly Tethered Solution Overview
To meet these requirements, Kitefly Tethered delivered a fiber-optic tethered surveillance solution consisting of:
System Architecture
l Tethered Ground Power Station (G30)
l Regulated Airborne DC/DC Power Module (WF8)
l Industrial multi-rotor UAV (10 kg payload class)
l All-in-one Optical Fiber Remote Controller
l EO + Thermal Imaging Gimbal
l External HDMI monitoring setup
The system enables continuous power supply and real-time data transmission through a power + optical fiber integrated tether.
4. Key Technical Specifications (Delivered Configuration)
The following configuration is extracted from the actual delivery and commercial invoice, ensuring
Tethered Ground Power Station – G30
l Input Voltage: AC 380 V
l Output Voltage: DC 800–1000 V
l Maximum Output Power: 14 kW
l Tether Length: 150 m (integrated optical fiber)
l Operating Mode: Passive release / Active rewind
l Maximum rewind speed: ≥ 2 m/s
Airborne Power Module – WF8 (Regulated)
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