07 July 2021

AeroVironment develops new Crysalis ground control solution

by Pat Host

AeroVironment has developed a new ground control solution (GCS) called Crysalis that will provide command and control (C2) of compatible company unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) and their payloads.

The user interface and hand device for AeroVironment's new Crysalis ground control solution for the company's robotic products. (AeroVironment)

Crysalis is an integrated, software-based system built around three elements – software, hardware, and antennas. Crysalis was designed to make operating AeroVironment robotic systems easier. Crysalis is cross-platform compatible with Android, Microsoft Windows, and Linux operating systems.

Wahid Nawabi, AeroVironment president and CEO, told reporters on 6 July that while the company will not force customers to use Crysalis, all of the company's systems will be interoperable and integrated with Crysalis. Nawabi said the vision for Crysalis in the future is to be interoperable with the company's advanced ground robotic solutions and non-AeroVironment assets. Mark Graybill, company chief software engineer for UAS, said on 6 July that the company is developing a Crysalis software development kit to allow third parties to add support for their own radios, vehicles, and, if necessary, their own user interface.

AeroVironment is initially making Crysalis available with its UAS such as the Raven, Puma, and Wasp. Users can use Crysalis to plan and execute flight missions. Additional operational participants can share information and collaborate on decisions by accessing telemetry and downlink data through remote video terminals (RVTs), while also allowing them to capture data directly on their devices.

AeroVironment has developed a new ground control solution (GCS) called Crysalis that will provide co...

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