Kraus Hamdani Aerospace (KHA) has completed a series of cross-country electric unmanned operations at Pendleton UAS Range (PUR) using its K1000ULE platform in direct support of the U.S. Army’s 1st Multi-Domain Task Force (1MDTF). The demonstration validated operational workflows for distributed defense missions requiring launch and recovery at different geographic locations.
The K1000ULE successfully executed an 18 km mission profile that established practical point-to-point electric UAS operations while maintaining full connectivity through relay-extended range capabilities. According to a 1MDTF Soldier involved in the testing, “Thanks to KHA’s previous mission testing at Pendleton UAS Range, we were able to execute the concept of launching and landing the K1000ULE UAS at different sites, including utilizing a mesh network relay through another aircraft to land without Electronic Line of Sight (ELOS) from the ground control station to the landing platform.”
Pendleton and KHA See Real Results
The flights delivered two key operational advantages for 1MDTF, demonstrating planned launch and recovery at separate locations without requiring emergency landing functions. Second, relay-extended connectivity was achieved through an Air Data Relay (ADR), where one aircraft maintained connectivity between control stations and the mission aircraft while recovering at the alternate site. This capability extends operational reach while preserving control and situational awareness, which can be critical for Pacific operations where forces must operate across dispersed locations with limited ground line of sight.
For 1MDTF, the validated workflow reduces deployment risk by enabling teams to reposition across multiple sites while maintaining equipment weight efficiency. The flights conducted in the FAA’s national airspace at PUR provided 1MDTF with proven operational profiles and documented flight logs ahead of deployment.
The demonstration builds on KHA’s long-endurance roadmap at Pendleton UAS Range. In summer 2023, the K1000ULE completed a 75-hour and 35-minute continuous flight at PUR, setting a new world endurance record in the Group 2 fixed-wing category. “Pendleton is more than a test site; we are a proving ground for the next generation of flight,” said Jesse Steele, Range Manager. “Our approach is rooted on supporting innovators like Kraus Hamdani to operate faster, safer, and more affordably.”
More information about Pendleton UAS Range is available here. More information on Kraus Hamdani Aerospace is available here.
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Ian McNabb is a journalist focusing on drone technology and lifestyle content at Dronelife. He is based between Boston and NH and, when not writing, enjoys hiking and Boston area sports.
