London. 15 September 2021. 4GD, Close-combat immersive specialist 4GD has entered into a strategic partnership with Parrot, the leading European drone group. Under the partnership, Parrot’s ANAFI USA drone will be integrated into 4GD’s synthetic training environment, giving users the ability to train for unmanned flight operations in a way that exactly replicates live missions.
Parrot’s ANAFI USA is a powerful, ultraportable, and secure drone built to meet the demands of defence and security applications. This durable aerial camera platform features an industry-first 32x zoom, 4K HDR video and integrates FLIR Boson thermal camera, enabling scouting and intelligence, combat and mobility support missions day or night, including in extreme conditions. It can capture imagery at ranges of up to 5km (3.1 miles) and can detect human figures at up to 2km (1.2 miles). Operators can maintain a connection beyond line-of-sight with the drone (up to 10km/6.2 miles), while the drone itself is undetectable at 130m (0.08 miles). With a flight time of up to 32 minutes, weight of 515g, and a compact and foldable design, the system is easily incorporated into a soldier’s tactical equipment pack for quick single-hand launch and recovery.
The first phase of the strategic partnership will see 4GD and Parrot integrate the ANAFI software into 4GD’s synthetic environment as a stand-alone solution. Within the simulation, a 3D model of the ANAFI USA drone will exactly mimic its behaviour in flight, giving users the ability to train for UAS flight missions without the need for unrestricted airspace, and without risking damage to the UAS while user skills progress.
Under the second phase, work will focus on integrating the ANAFI USA’s capability into 4GD’s SmartFacility urban training environment, providing users the opportunity to train for close combat operations that incorporate unmanned sensor feed elements.
James Crowley, 4GD Business Development Director said: “We are delighted to partner with Parrot and explore ways to conduct drone training in 4GD’s synthetic environment. Through this collaboration we aim to give end-users the ability to practice, test and develop UAS flying techniques and tactics in a 3D virtual world without risk of damaging a drone. Through this strategic partnership we will also explore exciting possibilities for future integration into our 4GD SmartFacility”.
Parrot’s Director of Strategic Partnerships, Jerome Bouvard, noted: “Parrot remains committed to continuous innovation of our ANAFI platform through the addition of high performance, value-enhancing partners. The integration with 4GD’s synthetic training environment advances Parrot’s quest to provide the most robust, safe and reliable drone solutions to professional operators seeking to deploy unmanned flight operations.
