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The Role of Tethered Drone Systems in Disaster Recovery

USaS Staff



Mobile phones have revolutionized how we live, work, and communicate. For many, traditional calling ranks far behind using phones for social media, photography, navigation, and online purchases. As indispensable tools, mobile phones are ubiquitous and indispensable in modern life. However, this heavy reliance exposes a critical vulnerability: when mobile networks fail, users can feel stranded, disconnected, and helpless. Beyond inconveniences like missing Instagram updates or photo sharing, critical functions like navigation, online payments, and communication with loved ones are rendered impossible. For first responders, the stakes are even higher, as network outages can impede their ability to coordinate rescue efforts or provide aid.


Recognizing the vital importance of communication, restoring mobile networks becomes a top priority in the wake of natural disasters. Government agencies, network operators, and first responders alike understand that reconnecting communities to reliable networks is essential for ensuring safety, coordination, and recovery.


Traditional Solutions and Their Limitations


Before 2017, the go-to solution for restoring mobile connectivity during disasters was deploying temporary network equipment such as Cell-on-Wheels (CoWs) or Cell-on-Light-Trucks (CoLTs). These solutions, equipped with network hardware and boom antennas, have been effective and reliable. However, they come with significant drawbacks: their size, cost, and limited range due to low antenna heights. While CoWs and CoLTs can provide relief, their deployment is often slow, and their coverage may not extend far enough to meet the urgent needs of affected communities.


LEAP: A Game-Changing Tethered Drone System


In 2017, a new solution emerged to address these limitations: the LEAP system, developed by Unmanned Systems and Solutions. First deployed in Puerto Rico after Hurricane Maria, LEAP demonstrated the transformative potential of tethered drone systems in disaster recovery.


The LEAP system employs a heavy-lift tethered drone connected to the ground via a power and data tether. This innovative setup allows the drone to remain airborne for extended periods while providing reliable fiber-optic data connectivity. When equipped with a network operator’s communication gear and integrated into the operator's core network, the LEAP system effectively functions as a mobile, long-range, 400-foot-tall cell tower.


In Puerto Rico, the LEAP tethered drone system quickly restored voice, text, and internet access to thousands of users, showcasing its rapid deployment capabilities and extended coverage. Since then, LEAP has proven its value in numerous disaster scenarios, including Hurricane Florence (NC), Hurricane Ian (FL), the Maui wildfires (HI), and the LA wildfires (CA). Over six years of deployments, LEAP has repeatedly demonstrated its ability to restore vital connectivity when it matters most.


The Future of Disaster Response


When disaster strikes, mobile connectivity is a lifeline for affected individuals seeking food, water, safety, and communication. By deploying tethered drones as mobile network towers, operators can provide swift, reliable coverage in areas where traditional infrastructure has failed. The LEAP system’s success highlights the critical role that tethered drone systems can play in modern disaster recovery, ensuring that first responders, government agencies, and victims can stay connected during their time of greatest need.


As natural disasters become more frequent and severe, integrating innovative solutions like tethered drones into disaster response strategies will be essential. These systems not only enhance recovery efforts but also redefine the standards for efficiency and reliability in post-disaster communication. Tethered drone systems are proving to be a cornerstone of resilience in an increasingly connected world.

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