Elistair has officially introduced a groundbreaking tethered air module designed specifically for the Parrot ANAFI UKR micro-UAV, a development poised to significantly enhance continuous aerial intelligence gathering for defense, public safety, and critical infrastructure operations. Unveiled on October 21, 2026, the new module integrates seamlessly with Elistair’s established Safe-T and Ligh-T tether stations. By bridging the micro-UAV with a continuous power and secure data tether, the system enables hours of uninterrupted flight, a critical capability for sustained intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) missions where traditional battery limitations have historically presented operational bottlenecks.
Headquartered in Lyon, France, with a significant presence in North Carolina, Elistair engineered this system to meet the rigorous demands of modern security operators who require an unblinking aerial view while maintaining a minimal logistical and physical footprint. The combination of the Parrot ANAFI UKR and Elistair’s tether technology forms a comprehensive, highly deployable ISR package tailored for complex scenarios such as force protection, wide-area perimeter surveillance, border security, major event management, and rapid emergency response support. The foundational drone platform itself was originally introduced by Parrot at the 2015 Paris Air Show, quickly gaining traction within professional defense and public safety sectors for its reliability and secure architecture.
How the ANAFI UKR Tethered Module Works
The operational mechanics of the new system rely on a dedicated air module that physically and electronically links the Parrot ANAFI UKR to either the Safe-T or Ligh-T tethered ground stations. Through a micro-tether, the station delivers continuous power directly to the micro-UAV, bypassing the standard flight time restrictions imposed by onboard lithium batteries. Consequently, the aircraft can maintain persistent overwatch for hours on end without needing to land for battery swaps, effectively transforming a tactical, short-duration drone into a long-endurance stationary aerial mast.
According to technical specifications highlighted by Elistair, the entire setup is designed for rapid deployment, boasting a readiness time of under two minutes from arrival in the field. Despite its advanced capabilities, the system preserves the inherent portability and operational simplicity that field operators demand during high-stress missions.
Guilhem de Marliave, chief executive of Elistair, emphasized the strategic value of this integration for the company’s core clientele. With this new solution, the company is effectively bringing the robust endurance traditionally associated with larger tethered platforms to a lightweight, agile drone that defense and public safety customers already know and trust.
Echoing this perspective, Chris Roberts, senior vice president and chief revenue officer of Parrot, framed the collaboration as a natural expansion of the ANAFI UKR platform’s operational scope. Parrot remains deeply committed to providing defense, public safety, and critical infrastructure operators with resilient, field-proven aerial solutions capable of addressing the fluid demands of real-world environments. Roberts noted that Elistair’s new tethered solution enhances the ANAFI UKR by unlocking persistent aerial surveillance capabilities while carefully preserving the portability, rapid deployment features, and secure architecture upon which customers rely. Furthermore, he highlighted that this ongoing collaboration demonstrates the vitality of the broader technology ecosystem and a shared dedication to delivering mission-critical intelligence precisely when and where it is needed most.
Elistair’s Proven Track Record in Tethered Drone Technology
The introduction of the ANAFI UKR air module builds upon a substantial foundation of industry experience and global deployment. Over the past decade, security forces worldwide have integrated more than 2,000 Elistair tethered stations into their operational fleets. The company’s hardware is currently utilized by armed forces, law enforcement agencies, civil security bodies, and private security contractors across more than 70 countries, illustrating its reliability in diverse climatic and tactical environments.
Elistair’s ongoing innovation trajectory extends across multiple domains of unmanned systems. Earlier in 2026, the company partnered with Exail to integrate tethered drone maritime surveillance capabilities onto autonomous vessels, demonstrating the versatility of its tethering technology beyond traditional land-based deployment.
On the manufacturing and development front, Parrot operates from its headquarters in Paris, designing its advanced ANAFI range of micro-UAVs in Europe while executing manufacturing processes in the United States and South Korea. Parrot also brings extensive software expertise to the aerospace and geospatial sectors through its ownership of Pix4D, a globally recognized developer of professional photogrammetry and mapping software.
Commercial orders for the new Elistair tethered air module for the Parrot ANAFI UKR are officially open, with shipments and field integrations underway. Organizations seeking further technical documentation, compatibility details, or procurement options can access additional resources directly through Elistair’s official communication channels.
