Revector has partnered with Cannon Dynamics to integrate mobile phone location technology onto long-endurance drones to combat illegal poaching across the African continent.
The collaboration involves the integration of the Revector Detector payload onto the Cannon Dynamics Sword Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV). This system allows anti-poaching ranger teams to identify unusual mobile device activity and cellular traffic in remote hotspots, providing real-time intelligence on poacher movements.
Traditionally, ground teams have struggled to cover vast distances, often arriving at remote locations too late to prevent incidents. The new aerial capability enables the rapid deployment of resources and teams to specific target locations for prevention, supported by regular updates and intelligence on poacher movements.
The Sword UAV features a 3-meter wingspan and a 200km range, offering a fixed-wing design available in both electric and fuel versions. Designed for high-endurance missions, the platform includes a modular hot-swap payload system that supports high-resolution and multispectral cameras, LiDAR, and thermal imagers alongside the specialized IMSI catcher by Revector.
Revector’s low-SWaP (Size, Weight and Power), ultra-portable, multi-channel UAV payload detects and tracks broadcasting IMSIs, locking onto targets within range and narrowing down their location through advanced mapping visualization, reducing the need for multiple ground teams.
Ted Reddicliffe, Cannon Dynamics Chairman, commented, “The integration with Revector’s payload proved effortless and undertaken ahead of our proposed timescales. Cannon Dynamics VTOL platforms allow for easy and long endurance deployments, providing teams the ability to travel great distances to remote locations with ease. With Cannon Dynamics hot-swap payload capabilities and Revectors easy plug and play system, we look forward to seeing the results of this use case.”
Shane Wilson, CEO, Revector, added, “Arriving onsite to get our payload tested and in the air was extremely efficient, we know the Revector Detector is easy to integrate after heavily investing in development to ensure interference from our high wattage systems with the UAV comms and GPS is non-existent. The integration of our payload onto the Sword means the end user will have a significant advantage over the illegal poachers and criminals acting in remote locations.
“Sadly, thousands of endangered animals are illegally poached daily and Revector are humbled to join the fight alongside others who risk their lives to protect the wildlife in their natural habitat. Hopefully, we can work together by combining different technologies to assist in defeating the poaching industry.”
