A need for wireless charging
On modern battlefields, real-time and persistent information is critical for superior situational awareness. Recent technological advances in military drones have greatly enhanced the Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities of today’s armed forces, improving surveillance operations. However, all drones have limited range and endurance, and they ultimately need to be recharged with equipment that cannot be transported stealthily. The human intervention required to keep drones operational also poses a risk to soldiers in murky and unpredictable situations. Moreover, present technologies, such as tethered drones and drone-in-a-box concepts, are built for specific makes and models and can only recharge one drone at a time.
To address these realities, Rheinmetall Canada and Quaze Technologies have developed a solution that opens new possibilities in the drone charging industry, resulting in genuine unmanned drone operations. The proposed concept consists of providing “permanent eyes in the sky”, which could save countless lives and make it easier than ever for unmanned systems to operate autonomously.
The chief strategy officer and president of Quaze Technologies, Francis Roy, looks forward to leveraging the team’s expertise: “We’re proud to partner with Rheinmetall Canada, a leader in systems integration for the defence market. Our revolutionary surface power technology is a game changer in the drone industry and is set to play a pivotal role in integrating autonomous vehicles in military operations.”
What DSTOW™ does differently
Compatible with all configurations of Mission Master A-UGVs, the Quaze Drone Swarm Tactical OverWatch (DSTOW™) is a first-of-its-kind surface-charging module that facilitates fully unmanned drone operations, eliminating the need for human intervention and physical connections.
The DSTOW™ technology also eliminates the need for heavy equipment while simultaneously reducing the risk of faulty recharging. And because surface charging removes the need for moving parts, the risk of mechanical failure is no longer a concern. The drone-agnostic DSTOW™ solution has the unique ability to recharge all drones from the Blue UAS Cleared List compiled by the U.S. Military’s Defense Innovation Unit. Combined with the Mission Master vehicle’s advanced autonomous driving and navigation capabilities, this new module redefines unmanned missions in remote and high-risk areas of operation.
The solution proposed by Rheinmetall Canada and Quaze Technologies provides a reliable and safe way to maintain continuous coverage for ISR missions. Alain Tremblay, vice president of business development and innovation at Rheinmetall Canada, is enthusiastic about the collaboration: “Bringing this innovative technology to the defence market is fully aligned with our mission, which is to provide our customers with the most advanced solutions to address their operational needs. We’re excited to show its potential to the armed forces of Canada and its allies.”
