The CyPhy PARC (Persistent Aerial Reconnaissance and Communications) is a tethered quadrotor that draws power and data over a Kevlar-strengthened microfilament tether, enabling near-unlimited endurance (flights exceeding 220 hours). It hovers up to ~120-150 m for ISR and force protection and was ordered by the US Army.
| Country | USA |
|---|---|
| Subcategory | Multirotor |
| Subtype | Tethered persistent quadrotor UAV |
| Role | Persistent tethered surveillance |
| Classification | Tethered persistent ISR UAV |
| Mission | ISR, Force protection, Communications relay |
| Datalink | Fiber-optic microfilament tether (jam-proof) |
| MTOW (kg) | 5.9 |
| Operators | US Army (procured) |
| Frame type | Quadcopter |
| Length (m) | 1.4 |
| Propulsion | Tether-supplied electric power (4 rotors) |
| Combat-proven | No |
| Export status | US |
| Launch method | Vertical takeoff (tethered) |
| Autonomy level | Tethered automated station-keeping |
| Endurance (min) | 13200 |
| Recovery method | Vertical landing (tethered) |
| Year introduced | 2016 |
| Max payload (kg) | 2.7 |
| Standard sensors | EO/IR camera payloads |
| Production status | Discontinued (company defunct ~2019) |
| Airframe / lift type | Multirotor – quad |
| Control / autonomy level | Fibre-optic (RF-immune), Tethered, Waypoint / GPS-guided |
| Domain | Aerial (UAV/UAS) |
| Mission / use case – military | Comms relay, ISR |
| Origin / supply chain | Military-grade |
| Propulsion | Electric (LiPo / Li-ion) |
| Range / endurance | Long endurance (>24 hrs) |
| Signature / detectability | RCS – small, RF-silent – fibre-optic |
| Strike depth / operational role | Mothership / relay (carrier drone launching FPVs or extending link range) |
| Threat vector | Surveillance / reconnaissance |
| Weight / class | Class I – Mini (2–20 kg), FAA <25 kg (Part 107) |