Skyfront today announced that the Skyfront Perimeter 8+ WC, a variant of the hybrid-electric Perimeter 8+ drone equipped with a water-cooled engine and heat-tolerant avionics, is now available for desert operations worldwide.

The Skyfront Perimeter 8+ WC is designed to provide reliable drone operations in the most austere desert environments in temperatures up to 50°C (122°F). Traditional battery-powered drones face significant challenges in high-temperature conditions, including faster battery degradation, reduced lifespan, and the risk of battery fires. Similarly, air-cooled engines on drones can overheat. The Skyfront Perimeter 8+ WC addresses these issues with its advanced water-cooled engine and heat-tolerant avionics, offering drone operators peace of mind in extreme conditions.

Skyfront’s Perimeter 8+ WC was recently stress tested at the White Sands Missile Range U.S. Army testing facility in New Mexico, where it successfully carried heavy payloads at high altitudes during mid-day operations in temperatures of 45°C (113°F). The drone can operate at density altitudes that are typically infeasible for traditional multirotor drones, making it a game-changer for various applications.

Skyfront’s Perimeter 8+ WC is ideal for high endurance defense and commercial applications in extreme environments. It is effective for detecting improvised explosive devices (IEDs), landmines, and unexploded ordnance (UXO). Additionally, it is designed for geophysical exploration and long linear inspections of utilities, pipelines, oil, gas, and power transmission lines.

The Skyfront Perimeter 8+ WC is available as a retrofittable upgrade to the popular Skyfront Perimeter 8. The Perimeter 8, deployed by customers in over 30 countries, is renowned for its endurance, payload capacity, and range. It boasts proven flight times of over 5 hours and can carry 5 kg (11 lb) for 3 hours and 10 kg (22 lb) for one hour.

“Alchemy Analytics provides advanced unmanned geospatial solutions and services, and we’ve seen firsthand the Skyfront Perimeter 8+ WC unlock reliable high endurance drone operations in the deserts of the Middle East and enable peace of mind for drone operators,” said Conrad Wright, CEO of Alchemy Analytics.

“Skyfront is excited to deploy the first water-cooled hybrid-electric multirotor drone in the Middle East,” said Troy Mestler, CEO of Skyfront. “The Skyfront Perimeter 8+ WC is now available as a retrofittable upgrade for existing customers and as a new system for new customers.”