Farnborough 2026: Czech company Pramacom-HT unveils lightweight airborne ISR and communication pod

A Bristell B8 airplane with the D-POD system transformed into cost-effective communications and ISR node. (Michal Zdobinsky)

Czech company Pramacom-HT unveiled its new lightweight pod for airborne intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) and communications at the Farnborough International Airshow 2026 running from 20 to 24 July.

The Deployable ISR and communications Pod solution (D-POD), developed in collaboration with Oculus Aeris, is a modular system that enables a standard aircraft or unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) to be converted into an ISR, search and rescue (SAR), or communications relay platform in tens of minutes.

It makes extensive use of commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) products and IP technology to ensure interoperability both within the system itself and with the user's other equipment. The D-POD, with a total weight of 20 kg, consists of an underfuselage pod-mounted container, a satellite communications fairing on top of the fuselage, and a portable onboard computing and communications unit.

In the current version of the D-POD, the ISR sensors consist of a RedWire E95 electro-optical camera and a Scout radio frequency (RF) receiver from Dronetag. Sensor output is transmitted to the software interface of the onboard operator and the ground control station. This provides real-time access to position data, video with metadata (KLV), cursor-on-target, audio, and more at the command-and-control centre. The system's communication unit combines several types of connectivity technologies, whilst ensuring interoperability.

The D-POD has been integrated into the Czech-made Bristell B8 ultralight aircraft, providing a combination of low cost per flight hour and a long operational range up to 1,200 km. In this configuration, it is possible to provide ISR information and connectivity across the entire territory of the Czech Republic for approximately 8 hours.