Russia is planning a tethered mother drone carrying up to six wired mini spy UAVs

Russia has filed a patent for a drone design that can deploy up to six tethered spy drones simultaneously. The carrier drone, developed by engineers at the Novosibirsk Higher Military Command School, functions as a mobile hub for these reconnaissance units. Instead of relying on individual batteries or radio links, each remote copter receives power and control signals through a physical cable connected to the carrier aircraft.

This tethered setup not only extends the operational range but also reduces the vulnerability to jamming. Upon completion of a mission, the remote copters are automatically retrieved and returned to designated landing brackets on the carrier drone. This design was engineered for repeated use, as opposed to disposable scout drones.

By eliminating the need for onboard batteries in each remote unit, the system frees up weight for additional cameras or sensors. This innovative approach could allow a single operator to monitor several observation points simultaneously, thereby reducing the number of separate aircraft required in contested areas.