
Built to meet the demands of tactical applications, Elsight’s cutting-edge Halo connectivity platform delivers uninterrupted Beyond-Visual-Line-of-Sight (BVLOS) connectivity and security for drone operations in border control scenarios.
Halo maintains a stable, high-quality connection even in areas with unreliable coverage. It achieves this by combining the strongest available links—3G, LTE, 5G, SatCom, and proprietary RF connections—into a unified, secure, and dependable communication pipeline.
The system continuously evaluates transmissions, dynamically selecting and integrating the most reliable links while prioritizing low-latency options. It ensures uninterrupted video streaming, telemetry, and command and control by automatically rerouting traffic as needed.
To safeguard transmitted data from cyber threats, Halo employs advanced security features, including encryption and data splitting across multiple bonded IP channels. Additionally, Elsight’s 3D reception coverage maps enhance flight planning, enabling operators to select routes with the highest signal strength for improved operational efficiency.
Compact, lightweight, and energy-efficient, Halo is designed for portability and quick deployment, making it ideal for fast-paced border security missions. Its compatibility with various drone platforms simplifies integration across diverse operational needs.
Halo is fully compliant with the U.S. National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) and adheres to European standards. With tens of thousands of BVLOS mission flight hours, Elsight’s Halo has established itself as a reliable solution for securing international borders.
The Growing Role of Drones in Border Security
Drones have become integral to modern border security, enhancing the efficiency and safety of operations. Their ability to access remote locations and offer an aerial perspective delivers numerous advantages:
Improved Situational Awareness
Drones can rapidly cover extensive areas, capturing high-resolution imagery and live video for real-time monitoring. This intelligence aids in anticipating threats and deploying resources strategically. They also access locations that ground patrols find challenging, ensuring uninterrupted border coverage and swift detection of unauthorized activities.
Cost Efficiency
Drones offer a more economical alternative to manned helicopters, significantly lowering operational costs such as fuel, training, and maintenance. This affordability allows agencies to expand their surveillance reach without additional expenses, while also minimizing reliance on extensive ground patrols.
Enhanced Safety
Border regions often pose risks, from rugged terrains to hostile encounters. Drones can operate in such environments without endangering personnel, offering a safer method for surveillance and reducing the likelihood of human casualties.
Operational Flexibility
Drones are deployable across diverse terrains and weather conditions. Whether navigating dense forests, arid deserts, or mountainous areas, they deliver reliable data, ensuring border control remains unhindered by geographic or climatic challenges.
Quicker Response Times
Drones can be rapidly deployed to address urgent situations, providing ground teams with real-time intelligence. In cases of security breaches or suspicious activity, drones reach locations within minutes, capturing live footage and facilitating prompt responses. This capability significantly boosts the effectiveness of border operations.
Covert Operations
Drones’ compact size and quiet operation allow for discreet monitoring, making it difficult for smugglers or unauthorized individuals to detect them. This stealth ensures effective and covert surveillance.
The Impact of BVLOS Communications on Border Patrol
Beyond-Visual-Line-of-Sight (BVLOS) technology, such as Elsight’s Halo platform, enables operators to control drones even when they are beyond the pilot’s direct line of sight. This advancement elevates drone capabilities in border security, offering key benefits:
- Extended range with reliable connectivity: BVLOS connectivity allows drones to operate over expansive areas, far beyond the limits of visual-line-of-sight. These drones relay live video feeds, sensor data, and critical information to command centers, maintaining situational awareness even at significant distances.
- Remote operation from any location: BVLOS technology allows operators to control drones remotely, enabling centralized coordination and rapid responses regardless of their physical location. Expert operators can manage security measures effectively from a central command center.
- Fleet management by a single operator: BVLOS systems enable one operator to oversee multiple drones patrolling different border sections, providing comprehensive coverage while minimizing workforce requirements. This capability is especially valuable for large border regions.
- Jamming resistance: Utilizing cellular channels, BVLOS systems ensure robust communication links that resist jamming and interference. This reliability is critical in areas where illegal actors may attempt to disrupt communication systems.
Applications of BVLOS-Enabled Drones
Equipped with advanced sensors and BVLOS technology, including Elsight’s Halo solution, drones revolutionize border surveillance and protection. Key applications include:
Surveillance & Monitoring
Drones patrol borders, detect unauthorized crossings, and monitor for illegal activities. Advanced sensors and cameras enhance their capability to detect movement and capture images even in low-light conditions, making them indispensable during nighttime operations.
Search & Rescue
Drones locate and assist individuals in distress within remote or hazardous areas. They quickly cover vast regions, identify lost or injured persons, and deliver essential supplies like food and medical aid until rescue teams arrive.
Counter-Smuggling & Anti-Trafficking
Drones monitor known smuggling routes and detect suspicious activity. By providing real-time intelligence, they enable border patrol agents to act swiftly and effectively against illicit activities.
Environmental Monitoring
Drones track environmental changes that impact border security, such as floods or landslides. They also detect illegal activities like logging or poaching, helping to protect ecosystems and wildlife habitats in border regions.
Importance of Portability & Rapid Deployment
In border security, quick response capabilities are paramount. Portable drone systems with BVLOS connectivity offer the flexibility and infrastructure to address evolving challenges. Their rapid setup and scalability enable border teams to deploy drones without delay, ensuring immediate responses to emerging threats.
BVLOS connectivity, facilitated by solutions like Elsight’s Halo, also allows operators to control fleets of drones from remote locations, ensuring their safety while managing large-scale surveillance efforts efficiently.