Tethered drones aren't often spoken about in drone conversations, which is a real shame. Tethered drones offer a unique set of benefits that can't be matched by regular drones, manned aircraft, or from the ground.
What is a tethered drone?
A tethered drone is a drone that is connected to the ground via a tether. This tether can be used to ensure a drone stays in its place but often also doubles as a power source and data transfer point when used in dangerous operations.
Ground power station
Tethered drones often forgo their batteries as the tether provides a stable power source without the need for extra weight to be carried. The power station on the ground can often allow the drone to stay in the air for hours at a time with some even allowing drones to be in the air for up to 24 hours.
Enhanced operations
As the drone can get power from the ground and transfer data in real-time operations can be enhanced with less down time and having an eye in the sky around the clock. Having multiple tethered drones means you can send one up right before the previous one comes down to land without the need for human interaction.
Data security
Since the tether also transfers data, it removes the ability for the drone to be remotely hacked, improving the security of the data being captured. This means the only way to get data from the drone is to physically intercept it from the tether.
Increased safety
There is no chance a tethered drone can fly away on its own if something were to go wrong. Thanks to the strength of the tether if a drone were to stray off it would be stopped in its place to continue the operation or land for it to be inspected by the team.
Source: Elistair
