Drone Aviation Holding Corp., a developer of specialized, tethered aerial monitoring and communications platforms serving national defense and homeland security customers, recognized in the 2018 ‘ASTORS’ Homeland Security Awards Program, and a competitor in the 2019 ‘ASTORS’ Awards Program, has successfully completed the customer-requested development, testing and delivery of an advanced video distribution upgrade kit for currently fielded Winch Aerostat Small Platform (WASP) systems.

This new plug and play kit provides the capability to distribute full motion video captured from the WASP’s Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) sensor simultaneously to a dismounted soldier’s mobile device utilizing the Android Tactical Awareness Kit (ATAK) developed by DHS Science and Technology Directorate (S&T), also a Recognized Award Winner in the 2018 ‘ASTORS’ Awards Program, as well as operators at the tactical operations center (TOC).

(The Android Team Awareness Kit (ATAK) is a gps communications tool that runs on a mobile device. It improves situational awareness by allowing users to know where their mission partners are located, regardless of affiliation. It also improves communications through a variety of applications. Thanks to the efforts of the S&T Apex Border Situational Awareness (BSA) team, ATAK was used during Hurricane operations in Houston and Puerto Rico. Courtesy of the DHS Science and Technology Directorate and YouTube.)

All electronics design, architecture and integration into the WASP was completed at the Company’s Jacksonville headquarters facility and follows Program Executive Office (PEO), Project Manager Tactical Radio (PM TR) and PEO Soldier Nettwarrior standards.

The upgraded equipment has been shipped to the customer for integration into a WASP system currently deployed overseas.

“Drone Aviation is honored to be selected by our Army customer to expand the capability of WASP by providing deployed soldiers with secure video directly on their existing handheld devices,” said Dan Erdberg, CEO and President of Drone Aviation.

“Through continual enhancement and the ability to adapt to changing technology and mission requirements, WASP further differentiates itself and delivers value to our customers.”

“We look forward to making this important new technology available and to bringing this expanded capability to our warfighters.”

The WASP is a highly tactical and mobile aerostat system which can be operated by as few as two soldiers and can provide day/night video, secure multi-frequency and multi-wave form wireless communication range extension capability at the edge of the battlefield from either a stationary position or while being towed.

(See Drone Aviations Winch Aerostat Small Platform, or WASP, in action. Courtesy of Drone Aviation and YouTube.)

WASP Capabilities & Operational Features Include:

• Mobile, rapidly reconfigurable aerostat

• HMMWV OR truck deployed

• Setup to operating in 30 minutes

• Tactical, mobile, soldier operated, 2-3 crew

• Days-duration flight time (72+ hours continuous)

• 10X the height of existing tower capability

• Up to 1500 feet operating altitude AGL

• Versatile platform for variety of payloads to include communications, ISR and SIGINT: : cameras/ISR, communications

• 8 km human detection, 40 mile communication range

• Operationally flexible – deploy and launch from fixed or remote site

• Low total cost of ownership (TCO)

• Self-contained launcher – many host options: Modular launcher can be dropped on ground, rooftop, or military depot trailer (M1101/02)

• Launcher can be tendered to commercial freight (not roll-on, roll-off cargo via Dover AFB MAC): Ship via commercial carrier (LD7 cargo pallet)

Over the past four years, U.S. Army-owned WASP systems have successfully completed thousands of hours of soldier training operations, various DoD exercises, and customer operations.

WASP is currently being utilized by the DoD as a mobile, tactical aerial solution that can support multi-mission profiles involving ground and aerial-based assets through communication retransmission.

Operating at altitudes of up to 1,500 feet AGL, the WASP system can significantly extend ISR capabilities and secure communications in remote and austere locations.

The soldier-operated systems can be rapidly configured to support a variety of mission requirements for days, weeks or months with customized payloads.

To Learn more about the WASP, including product demonstration video, please visit https://www.droneaviationcorp.com/solutions/aerostat/wasp.

Drone Aviation Returns to Compete in 2019 ‘ASTORS’ Homeland Security Awards Program

Drone Aviation

• Best Persistent Aerial Monitoring Solution

• WASP Tactical Aerostat

The Annual ‘ASTORS’ Awards Program is specifically designed to honor distinguished government and vendor solutions that deliver enhanced value, benefit and intelligence to end users in a variety of government, homeland security and public safety vertical markets.

Over 130 distinguished guests representing National, State and Local Governments, and Industry Leading Corporate Firms, gathered from across North America, Europe and the Middle East to be honored among their peers in their respective fields which included:

• The Department of Homeland Security
• The Federal Protective Service (FPS)
• Argonne National Laboratory
• The Department of Homeland Security
• The Department of Justice
• The Security Exchange Commission Office of Personnel Management
• U.S. Customs and Border Protection
• Viasat, Hanwha Techwin, Lenel, Konica Minolta Business Solutions, Verint, Canon U.S.A., BriefCam, Pivot3, Milestone Systems, Allied Universal, Ameristar Perimeter Security and More!

The Annual ‘ASTORS’ Awards is the preeminent U.S. Homeland Security Awards Program highlighting the most cutting-edge and forward-thinking security solutions coming onto the market today, to ensure our readers have the information they need to stay ahead of the competition, and keep our Nation safe – one facility, street, and city at a time.

Proud Sponsors of the 2019 ‘ASTORS’ Homeland Security Awards Program include ATI Systems, Attivo Networks, Automatic Systems, and Desktop Alert.

Time is Running Out to Receive the Recognition Your Organization Deserves!

 Final Entries Being Accepted in the 2019 ‘ASTORS’ Homeland Security Awards Today at https://americansecuritytoday.com/ast-awards/

Eligible “Government Excellence Award” Nominations are Complimentary, in Appreciation for Service.

Comprehensive List of Categories Include:

Don’t see a Direct Hit for your Product, Agency or Organization?

Submit your category recommendation for consideration to Michael Madsen, AST Publisher at: mmadsen@americansecuritytoday.com.

2018 Champions Edition

See the 2018 ‘ASTORS’ Champions Edition – ‘Best Products of 2018 ‘ Year in Review’ for in-depth coverage of the outstanding products and services of firms receiving American Security Today’s 2018‘ASTORS’ Homeland Security Awards.’

And be sure to Register for the 2019 ‘ASTORS’ Awards Presentation Luncheon at ISC East 2019 to ensure your place at this limited- space event!

Why the 2019 ‘ASTORS’ Homeland Security Awards Program?

American Security Today’s comprehensive Annual Homeland Security Awards Program is organized to recognize the most distinguished vendors of physical, IT, port security, law enforcement, and first responders, in acknowledgment of their outstanding efforts to ‘Keep our Nation Secure, One City at a Time.’

Why American Security Today?

American Security Today is uniquely focused on the broader Homeland Security & Public Safety marketplace with over 75,000 readers at the Federal, State and local levels of government as well as firms allied to government.

The old traditional security marketplace has been covered by a host of security publications that have changed little over many years.

American Security Today brings forward a fresh compelling look and read with our customized digital publications that provides our readers with solutions to their challenges.

Our Editorial staff provides a full plate of topics for our AST monthly digital editions, AST Website and AST Daily News Alerts.

The editorial calendar and AST’s high drawing website features 23 different Technology and Marketing Sectors such as Access Control, Perimeter Protection, Video Surveillance/Analytics, Airport Security, Border Security, CBRNE Detection, Border Security, Ports, Cybersecurity, Networking Security, Encryption, Law Enforcement, First Responders, Campus Security, Security Services, Corporate Facilities and Emergency Response among others.

These sectors are part of the new integration, where these major applications communicate with one another in a variety of solutions to protect our cities and critical infrastructure.

AST has Expanded readership into vital Critical Infrastructure audiences such as Protection of Nuclear Facilities, Water Plants & Dams, Bridges & Tunnels, and other Potential targets of terrorism.

Other areas of concern include Transportation Hubs, Public Assemblies, Government Facilities, Sporting & Concert Stadiums, our Nation’s Schools & Universities, and Commercial Business Destinations – enticing targets for extremist or lone wolf attacks due to the large number of persons and resources clustered together.