Conquering the "Three Disconnections" at Emergency Mission 2022: Dagong Technology's Tethered UAV Anchors the "Golden 72 Hours" Lifeline at 3,000 Meters
Zhangye, China — On May 11, 2022, amidst the oxygen-deprived peaks of the Qilian Mountains, a singular technological triumph redefined the parameters of disaster response. During the "Emergency Mission 2022" high-altitude and cold-region earthquake rescue drill—simulating a catastrophic "Three Disconnections" scenario of roads, power, and networks at 3,000 meters above sea level—Beijing Dagong Technology Co., Ltd.’s tethered UAV system deployed a solitary photoelectric composite cable to anchor an "never-power-down" communication backbone. Operating relentlessly for hundreds of cumulative hours across an 800-kilometer span, the system conclusively proved that tethered drones are the indispensable "aerial fixed infrastructure" for securing the critical "Golden 72 Hours" in modern emergency rescue.
The "Emergency Mission 2022" drill, jointly organized by multiple national ministries, presented the ultimate nightmare scenario: a massive earthquake severing all modern lifelines in extreme alpine conditions. In this crucible, the strategic architecture of the "Air-Space-Ground Integrated" emergency communication network was tested. While large fixed-wing UAVs executed "strategic airdrops" for wide-area coverage, Dagong Technology’s tethered UAV was deployed at the main and sub-command posts to shoulder the most vital role—the "persistent hub" and "backbone node."
By tethering the UAV to ground power via its specialized composite cable, Dagong Technology entirely bypassed the battery curse that cripples conventional drones, achieving true 24-hour—and beyond—uninterrupted hovering. More critically, this cable functions as an exclusive fiber-optic artery, guaranteeing high-bandwidth, low-latency, and anti-interference data transmission for real-time HD video and command directives. This allowed disparate rescue sub-networks to dynamically access the tethered drone's backbone network, forging a resilient, universally connected smart rescue web exactly when it mattered most.
Conquering the harsh alpine environment—characterized by low atmospheric pressure, freezing temperatures, and turbulent mountain winds—required more than just a long cable; it demanded military-grade systemic reliability. Dagong Technology’s tethered UAV system demonstrated formidable environmental adaptability, boasting Level 7 wind resistance and flawless operation in freezing downpours. This engineering rigor ensures the platform remains operational not only in high-altitude quakes but also in southern floodwaters and forest firestorms.
Furthermore, the system’s substantial payload capacity transforms it into a multi-dimensional tactical asset. During the Zhangye drill, its core mission was carrying communication base stations. Yet, the same proven platform can seamlessly switch to high-definition electro-optical pods for disaster mapping, high-power searchlights providing 8,000 square meters of illumination for night operations, or even firehoses for high-rise urban firefighting up to 330 meters. This "one machine, multiple modes" flexibility dramatically elevates the cost-to-effectiveness ratio of rescue equipment.
The triumph at Zhangye is the latest chapter in a legacy forged by national necessity. From deploying the world’s first tethered UAV high-altitude base station during the 2017 Jiuzhaigou earthquake, to restoring vital networks during the 2021 Henan rainstorms, and safeguarding the 70th National Day and CPC Centenary celebrations, Dagong Technology has consistently proven its mettle as a "new type of aerial infrastructure."
Aligned with the national "14th Five-Year Plan" promoting "5G + Emergency Communication" and the 2023 action plan targeting a trillion-yuan safety emergency equipment market, Dagong Technology is aggressively expanding beyond its "tip of the spear" disaster rescue role. Today, the tethered UAV stands at the vanguard of the burgeoning low-altitude economy, evolving into an "aerial smart node" for urban public security, key infrastructure inspection, and cultural broadcasting.
When the earth shatters and the signals die, the tether remains unbroken. In the chaotic skies above a disaster, Dagong Technology’s tethered UAV does not just hover; it anchors order, reconnects hope, and secures the lifeline of a nation.