Elistair is deploying its tethered drone on an autonomous vessel as part of the European project SMAUG (Smart Maritime And Underwater Guardian).
This collaborative program, funded by the European Union with nearly €6 million, brings together 21 partners from 7 countries around a common goal: strengthening surveillance and protection of sensitive port and maritime areas.
Elistair will integrate its latest-generation tethered drone aboard the consortium’s uncrewed surface vessels (USVs), creating a persistent airborne lookout over port zones. This innovative configuration enables the creation of a mobile aerial surveillance platform, capable of maintaining continuous visual coverage of port environments.
Powered via a continuous electric cable and a secure data link from the vessel, the drone can remain airborne for several hours without interruption, while transmitting live, encrypted video feeds. This innovation provides authorities with a permanent “eye in the sky” to autonomously detect suspicious activities in real time.
SMAUG Project
The SMAUG project aims to enhance underwater detection capabilities by combining five technologies: hydrophones, high-resolution sonar, swarms of underwater drones, hull scanners, and tethered drones. Data gathered from these sensors will be analyzed by intelligent modules to detect anomalies or atypical behavior at an early stage.
Initial tests carried out in May 2025 confirmed the successful deployment of Elistair’s tethered drone on a Maritime Robotics autonomous vessel in real-world conditions. This proof of concept validated the system’s performance under demanding maritime conditions, both stationary and in motion.
Following this success, the project partners are planning two large-scale demonstrations in 2025 and 2026 in the ports of Valencia (Spain) and Drammen (Norway).
Guilhem De Marliave, CEO & Co-founder of Elistair, commented, “This strategic project for the protection of European port infrastructure reflects the trust placed in Elistair and its technology. It embodies our vision of robotics serving the safety of people and critical sites. Integrating a tethered drone on an autonomous vessel marks a major step forward, providing continuous, mobile, and preventive maritime surveillance to stay ahead of emerging threats.”
