A US firm is extending a “robotic arm” to help frontline troops launch and retrieve drones on the move, whether from inside a vehicle or aircraft.
The RALAR, short for Robotic Arm Launch and Recovery, is Target Arm’s Connecticut-built mobile alternative to traditional stationary drone launchers.
The arm extends from a vehicle to send drones airborne or catch them mid-flight, eliminating the need for soldiers to dismount from their platforms and expose themselves to direct fire.
Colorado firm Trimble Inc. powers RALAR’s core positioning technology, syncing the arm to the vehicle’s movement for precise recovery even in motion.
Beyond tactical vehicles, the “platform-agnostic” arm can be fitted on ground robots or even aircraft with minimal hardware adjustment.
“RALAR represents a game-changing advancement in drone launch and recovery technology, building on the success of the company’s renowned Tular system,” the company stated.
Freeing Up Critical Manpower
Target Arm said RALAR gives operators an operational edge in complex environments, from combat to commercial missions.
Its ruggedized design allows convoys to launch reconnaissance drones at the first sign of enemy activity, providing near-real-time situational awareness.
The robotic arm could also serve civilian agencies, enabling fire chiefs or emergency responders to deploy drones safely for inspections or surveillance.
“This is a new era of drone mobility, where drones follow and find you, not the other way around,” Target Arm Chief Executive Officer Jeff McChesney noted.
