A fleet of drones makes up MultiFlyer, a system that can be operated by one person and which could be used to survey crops or inspect buildings, or to help identify people during search rescue missions.
The operator manages the fleet rather than individual drones, but can take over a single drone at will, using a tablet computer or even a smartphone. Several operators can share control, and the data gathered by the fleet is collated centrally.
While similar technology controls drones in spectacular lightshows, MultiFlyer can perform real-time instructions rather than simple pre-programmed choreography, and carry cameras or sensors on board.
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Nir Tel-Oren at Israel Aerospace Industries says MultiFlyer can perform search and rescue missions, provide persistent aerial monitoring for disaster relief, or agricultural surveys. Fleets could complete routine tasks like inspection of bridges, cooling towers and power lines much faster than single drones.
The current arrangement uses off-the-shelf helicopters from Alpha Unmanned Systems in Spain. They have a 90-minute flight time, but MultiFlyer can integrate other types of drone as needed. Drones can be 鈥榟ot swapped鈥� in flight, with new units joining the fleet as others drop out to refuel or recharge. The fleet can theoretically maintain a continuous presence for an unlimited period this way.
As well as covering a wider area and maintaining a continuous presence, the MultiFlyer fleet cannot be grounded by one malfunction or crash like a single drone. Tel-Oren says the only limits to the size of the fleet are bandwidth and the complexity of the mission.
IAI is selling MultiFlyer for non-military use only and declined to comment about potential military applications. MultiFlyer features an optical navigation system which does not rely on GPS, which makes it highly suitable for military situations where jamming is an issue.
Gary Mortimer, an expert on drones based in the UK, says the technology has great potential for tasks such as infrastructure inspection, but notes that current regulations require special arrangements for single-pilot, multi-drone operations.
鈥淟ight shows can get permission in the UK, USA and most places in the world on a case-by-case basis,鈥� says Mortimer. 鈥淏ut for regular commercial work it might take too long and cost too much.鈥�
Mortimer notes that the regulatory situation is likely to change soon to enable drone deliveries. This will open up the field to drone fleets like MultiFlyer for a variety of tasks.
