Elistair and Exail Introduce Tethered Drone Surveillance for Autonomous Maritime Vessels

Elistair and Exail Collaborate on Tethered Drone Integration

Elistair and Exail have announced a partnership to integrate the Khronos automated tethered DroneBox with Exail’s DriX unmanned surface vessel. This collaboration aims to enhance maritime surveillance capabilities by enabling operators to launch tethered drones directly from the vessel while remaining on shore.

Tethered Drone Maritime Surveillance

The Khronos drone, which launches from the DriX, utilizes a “follow-me” mode to maintain its position above the vessel during operations. According to Elistair, the drone is powered through its tether, allowing it to fly for up to 24 hours at an altitude of 60 meters (approximately 197 feet). It streams live, encrypted video over a secure data link, providing real-time imagery even in contested and GNSS-denied environments. Both the DriX and Khronos can be operated remotely from shore.

This configuration significantly extends the surveillance capabilities beyond the limitations of surface radar and cameras. It is particularly suited for:

• Coastal surveillance
• Port and critical-infrastructure protection
• Counter-trafficking operations
• Search and rescue missions

Statements from Company Executives

Guilhem de Marliave, chief executive of Elistair, remarked, “Integrating a tethered drone on an autonomous vessel marks a major step forward for maritime surveillance. Surface sensors stop at the horizon; flown from the DriX, Khronos lifts that limit with a persistent, mobile view that stays airborne for hours. For operators, that means wider coverage and earlier detection, with no crew at sea.”

Stéphane Vannuffelen, maritime autonomy solution technical director at Exail, added, “DriX was designed as an open platform, able to integrate new payloads as operational needs evolve. The integration of Khronos adds a persistent aerial perspective to the vessel’s existing surveillance capabilities, significantly extending the monitored area.”

Expanding Khronos Partnerships

The integration of the DriX with the Khronos drone marks a significant expansion of the drone’s applications beyond land and ground vehicle deployments. Elistair has previously partnered with Rheinmetall Canada’s Mission Master family of unmanned ground vehicles for convoy escort and reconnaissance, as well as with ARX Robotics’ GEREON RCS UGV for military ISR. The Khronos drone also participated in France’s ORION 2026 joint military exercise earlier this year, providing persistent aerial surveillance during operations involving 12,500 troops and 1,200 drones.

About Elistair

Elistair specializes in designing tethered drones for persistent surveillance and tactical communications. The company’s products are utilized by armed forces, law enforcement, civil security agencies, and private security firms in over 70 countries for various applications, including event protection, perimeter surveillance, border security, and pop-up communications networks. Elistair operates from locations in France and North Carolina.