Elistair has signed an agreement to provide a tethered small unmanned aerial system for an allied military force.
The 3-million-euro ($3.1 million) deal will supply the company’s flagship Kronos “drone-in-a-box” technology, associated training, spare parts, and support for the customer, The American Surveyor reported.
The French developer said that the package will be delivered alongside an unmanned ground vehicle manufactured by Estonian defense contractor Milrem Robotics.
Shipment of the drone and its supporting capabilities will begin in the second quarter of 2025.
The Khronos Unmanned Aerial System
Khronos is offered in a specialized landing container, which allows it to launch from a moving platform or a stationary spot in under two minutes.
The 30-kilogram (66-pound) system can fly for day and night operations, cover an area of up to 10 kilometers (6.2 miles) of range, and has an endurance of up to 24 hours.
Additionally, the drone can deploy in extreme weather conditions and areas lacking signal access for radio frequency and navigation.
“Compact, fully automated and designed for integration onto moving vehicles, Khronos offers unmatched endurance and stability, providing real-time aerial intelligence and enhanced situational awareness even in [Global Navigation Satellite System] denied environments,” Elistair said.
“Its continuous operation capabilities make it an ideal solution for persistent surveillance, ensuring that mission-critical information is always available.”
Partnership With Rheinmetall
Elistair’s latest contract followed the firm’s collaboration with Rheinmetall Canada last year to offer the Khronos drone for military users alongside the German industry partner’s Mission Master unmanned ground vehicle.
Before this package offering, the systems’ compatibility was tested for unmanned EU militaries at a facility in Québec.
“The Mission Master family of UGVs can carry a variety of [intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance] payloads,” Rheinmetall Canada Business Development and Innovation VP Alain Tremblay commented during the joint offering plan’s announcement.
“But KHRONOS definitely has its advantages, and we see international interest given its innovative capacity to adapt to current and future complex theatres of operation.”
