US Army REF to assess PARC system
CyPhy Works’ Persistent Aerial Reconnaissance and Communications (PARC) system is to be assessed by the US Army’s Rapid Equipping Force (REF), with an order for the system announced on 18 July.
The REF will assess the system against a requirement for persistent, elevated intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance.
PARC is a tethered UAS designed to provide persistent observation and communication relay capabilities. It consists of a ground control station (GCS) and hexrotor VTOL air vehicle that can operate at altitudes of up to 400ft above ground level for days at a time.
The PARC vehicle carries a gyro-stabilised, gimbal mounted, EO/IR camera payload that can be swapped out for communication device payloads. Communications and video data is transmitted via the system’s Kevlar-strengthened microfilament tether; the tether also serves as PARC's power conduit.
Matt England, vice president for government systems, CyPhy Works, said: ‘It's a tower-without-a-tower. We made a system that can live where the soldier lives; tough enough to match their environment; available where they need it, when they need it; and can fly for as long as they need it.’
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