By Chris,
Senior Reverse Engineer
Five minute read
AIS participated in Northern Strike Industry Day at Camp Grayling, Michigan on August 11, 2025, showcasing the integration of the FISSURE RF framework on a forward-deployable drone platform.
The payload was flown on one of Modovolo’s 3D printed Lift drones, providing a lightweight and modular airframe to demonstrate how FISSURE can adapt to a variety of mission needs.
FISSURE is particularly well-suited as a drone payload because it adapts to multiple hardware and mission configurations. Payloads can be built around ruggedized computers for field conditions, weatherized platforms for harsh environments or lightweight hobbyist systems for rapid prototyping. Communications radios can be swapped to scale from local connectivity to miles away, with options for mesh networking. Software-defined radios can be exchanged to increase sample rates, operate receive-only or support full transmit capabilities. Any type of sensor can be integrated, while GPS can be sourced from Meshtastic radios, dedicated USB receivers or eventually onboard telematics. Even the payload’s connectivity can expand with simple additions like USB hubs.
Modovolo’s modular Lift drone platform complements this flexibility. Because the airframes are lightweight, long-endurance and 3D printable, they allow FISSURE payloads to be fielded quickly, forward-deployed and configured in quad, hex or octo layouts depending on size, weight and endurance requirements. This pairing shows how adaptable software and modular hardware can come together to create a scalable airborne spectrum solution.
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Lightweight
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Long-endurance
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3D printable
BUILDING MOMENTUM
We are continuing to evolve our demonstrations and preparing for upcoming events with several key enhancements:
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Wi-Fi HaLow communications to improve data throughput between airborne payloads and ground nodes while continuing to rely on Meshtastic links for long-range low-throughput connectivity
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ATAK integration to enable operators to receive real-time alerts, view recommended actions and issue tasking directly through TAK
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IQ recordings of signals of interest to capture, replay and analyze critical spectrum activity for mission and training use
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Enhanced presentation to stream live security camera feeds, drone FPV, the FISSURE Dashboard and TAK displays through Starlink onto a TV for a more engaging demonstration of both payload and ground-based RF simulation
WHAT’S NEXT?
AIS is rolling out an enhanced interactive technical hierarchy and roadmap that illustrates FISSURE’s growing ecosystem of capabilities. We’re also developing a series of white papers that demonstrate how FISSURE enhances capabilities across multiple domains, including C-UAS, drones, vehicles, maritime security, perimeter defense and mobile integration.
Each event and release builds on the last, ensuring FISSURE continues to mature as a flexible, mission-ready framework for spectrum operations – one that evolves with emerging threats, adapts to diverse mission sets and empowers operators with cutting-edge tools for the challenges ahead.
