Picogrid & Hoverfly Demonstrate Integrated Persistent Aerial Sensing for Threat Detection

Picogrid and Hoverfly have demonstrated the integration of persistent elevated sensing technology to improve low-altitude threat detection during the Scarlet Dragon Army exercise at Fort Bragg.

The operational demonstration addresses a critical vulnerability in modern conflict zones, such as Ukraine, where low-cost drones present constant threats that leave operators with only minutes to detect and respond. Compounding this challenge, critical sensor data is frequently spread across disconnected systems, forcing military teams to piece together information under intense pressure.

To bridge this gap, Picogrid’s Legion platform integrated a Hoverfly Spectre tethered drone during the exercise. Operating at an altitude of 200 feet, the tethered system provides continuous aerial sensing over the surrounding area. Unlike traditional battery-powered drones that require frequent landing and recharging, the tethered configuration remains airborne indefinitely to maintain a stable, long-term vantage point. This persistent presence extends the line of sight beyond the capabilities of standard ground-based systems, improving visibility into low-altitude activity that is typically difficult to monitor.

Data captured by the Hoverfly system was integrated into the broader operational environment via the Legion platform. The platform routed the information across multiple systems in real time, fusing it with data from other distributed sensors to create a unified view for operators rather than an isolated feed.

Cam Kondo, Deployment Strategist at Picogrid, stated, “What we demonstrated at Fort Bragg is how quickly a system like this can be connected into an operational network and used alongside the other systems operators already rely on. Whether it’s supporting base defense or moving with a unit in the field, the ability to add persistent, elevated sensing without creating another isolated system changes how that data can actually be used.”

Bruce Tuftie, Chief Strategy Officer at Hoverfly Technologies, added, “Maintaining continuous visibility is a real challenge in environments where terrain and low-altitude threats limit what operators can see. Exercises like Scarlet Dragon are designed to test how systems operate together while rapidly sharing data, and this demonstration showed how continuous aerial sensing can plug into that workflow instead of operating as a standalone feed.”

The integration reflects a broader shift in defense procurement toward specialized, interoperable systems from a growing ecosystem of defense technology providers. Rather than evaluating technologies in isolation, modern military units are testing how systems function collaboratively as part of an interconnected detection and response network.

While Hoverfly focuses on specialized persistent aerial sensing, Picogrid provides the underlying infrastructure that enables these disparate systems to operate together. This collaborative framework extends to Picogrid’s Partner Ecosystem, which currently connects systems from more than 85 defense technology companies into active operational environments worldwide. In environments where low-altitude threats appear with minimal warning, this level of technical integration determines whether a threat is successfully intercepted or missed entirely.