Mobilicom Launches SkyHopper Micro Datalink for Mass Deployment of Small Drone Fleets

by DRONELIFE Staff Writer Ian M. Crosby

Cybersecurity and drone smart solutions provider Mobilicom Limited has extended the range of its line of SkyHopper data links with the release of a micro bi-directional model developed to allow mass deployment of small drone fleets.

Developed alongside small-drone Tier-1 manufacturers, the NDAA-compliant SkyHopper Micro fulfills an increasing demand for high-use applications like commercial inspections, disaster relief and defense intelligence or loitering drones.

“Our ongoing discussions and collaboration with Tier-1 customers confirms there is an immediate need for a micro communications system to support growing demand within both defense and commercial markets. SkyHopper Micro’s miniature size, weight and attractive price point is ideal for high-use applications and mass deployment of small drone fleets, many of which are single missions and require frequent replacement. It offers outstanding security and performance in harsh environments and challenging operational scenarios,” said Mobilicom CEO Oren Elkayam. “We’ve designed the SkyHopper Micro to be assembled at the printed circuit board, significantly reducing the overall drone cost for our customers by dramatically decreasing drone assembly time, eliminating the need for power and data cables, and improving quality and manufacturing yield.”

SkyHopper Micro makes use of Mobilicom’s wireless technology to provide long range bi-directional communications and real-time HD video at a range of up to 5km. It also enables N-LOS operations within both urban and remote locations. The new data link supports Point-to-Point, Point-to-Multipoint, and fleet management of autonomous systems.

SkyHopper Micro utilizes ICE cybersecurity software, granting heightened security for the drone and communication channels, and encrypting all transmitted and collected data. The communications system also boasts an advanced proprietary encryption mechanism, as well as compatibility with a variety of flight controllers, mission software and payloads.

Read more about Mobilicom and SkyHopper:

Ian attended Dominican University of California, where he received a BA in English in 2019. With a lifelong passion for writing and storytelling and a keen interest in technology, he is now contributing to DroneLife as a staff writer.