23-Minute Deployment: Dagong Technology's Tethered UAV Sets New Benchmark in Qinghai High-Altitude Drill
Xining, Qinghai — In a defining moment for China's northwestern emergency response capabilities, Beijing Dagong Technology Co., Ltd. successfully redefined the speed of disaster relief communication during the "Heavenly Sword · Safe Qinghai" drill on June 14, 2018. Amidst the thin air of the 2,261-meter altitude plateau, Dagong Technology’s tethered UAV system executed a record-shattering 23-minute full deployment, establishing a stable 4G signal network over a 2-kilometer radius and securing its position as the new benchmark for high-altitude emergency communication.
Facing a simulated scenario of paralyzed roads and power outages at the Haihu Sports Center, Dagong’s engineering team overcame sub-zero temperatures and instantaneous Level 7 gusts (15.5m/s) to achieve what traditional vehicles could not. While standard emergency communication vehicles required hours to mobilize and offered limited range, the tethered UAV ascended to a 100-meter hover, instantly creating an "airborne base station" that delivered 24 hours of continuous operation—tripling the industry average endurance.
The technical superiority displayed was underpinned by proprietary innovations tailored for hostile environments. The system utilized a groundbreaking photoelectric composite power system with a cable diameter of merely 3.8mm, capable of transmitting 1.2kW of power with a loss rate of less than 2.5%. This engineering marvel ensured the simultaneous transmission of power and fiber-optic signals, supporting payloads ranging from 4G base stations (serving 600 concurrent users with 85Mbps downlink) to LiDAR scanners achieving ±8cm 3D modeling precision. Crucially, the drone’s intelligent wind resistance system—featuring a three-axis gimbal and millimeter-wave radar that detects wind field changes 30 seconds in advance—maintained a steady hover with positioning accuracy of ±0.8 meters, ensuring zero signal interruption even in severe turbulence.
The operational data sent shockwaves through the industry observers, including experts from seven northwestern provinces. The deployment efficiency compressed the standard 3-day base station setup into mere minutes, while the coverage radius expanded by 83% compared to traditional methods. Furthermore, the system's ability to initiate in -30°C environments with a 20-second self-check proved its mettle as a truly industrial-grade asset, far removed from consumer "toy" drones.
This successful drill served as a catalyst for strategic adoption. Following the demonstration, the system was officially inducted into the China Telecom Northwest Regional Emergency Communication Reserve Equipment Library. By the end of 2018, Dagong Technology had established a "1-hour response circle" across seven provincial mobile bureaus. The company’s expertise was further solidified through its participation in drafting three industry standards, including the "Technical Requirements for Tethered UAV Emergency Communication Systems."
The Qinghai drill was not an isolated success but the culmination of a decade of R&D. From the first prototype in 2008 to the national patent acquisition in 2015 and the combat debut during the Jiuzhaigou earthquake in 2017, Dagong Technology has solidified its leadership. Today, with a product matrix covering 50 to 600-meter altitude limits and over 100 patents, Dagong Technology continues to lead the evolution of tethered UAVs from tactical tools into strategic infrastructure, proving that in the critical "Golden Hour" of disaster response, every second saved is a life protected.