1. Abstract / Summary
Evolve Dynamics has integrated Doodle Labs’ RM-2025-62M3 Mini Mesh Rider Radio into the Sky Mantis 2—an all-weather, long-endurance UAV designed for defense and public safety operations. Operating across the 1625–2500 MHz band, the radio enables secure, long-range communications with ultra-low latency and robust mesh networking capability. The result is a reliable tactical drone system, built for use in RF-contested and GPS-denied environments.
2. Background
Sky Mantis 2 is a mission-ready UAV platform developed for applications such as ISR, search and rescue, and tactical overwatch. With foldable arms, MIL-STD construction, and a hot-swappable battery system, it’s engineered for real-world field deployment. Communication resilience—particularly in complex, congested RF conditions—is critical to its operational value.
3. The Program or Mission Need
To fulfill a growing number of military and public safety deployments, Evolve Dynamics needed a radio system that could:
- Maintain real-time HD video and telemetry links over long distances
- Operate reliably in urban, maritime, and mountainous terrain
- Support mission-critical comms in spectrum-congested or jammed environments
- Fit within the size, weight, and power constraints of a compact UAS
- Enable multi-UAS mesh networking for dynamic, distributed operations
4. The Evaluation Landscape
Evolve Dynamics evaluated several commercial and defense-grade radio systems, seeking a platform that could handle both the physical and technical demands of their most complex use cases. Particular focus was placed on bandwidth flexibility, encryption support, and field-proven performance under challenging link conditions.
5. Selection Criteria
Key decision factors included:
- Frequency agility across the full 1625–2500 MHz band
- Compact Mini form factor for onboard integration
- High throughput and ultra-low latency performance
- Compatibility with Helix mesh module and open-architecture autonomy stack
- Track record of real-world validation in military and airborne environments
6. Why the Partner Chose Doodle Labs
The RM-2025-62M3 stood out for its Hex-Band support and software-defined flexibility. It delivered on both technical and operational fronts—offering secure, AES-encrypted communications and mesh networking, all in a ruggedized, low-profile enclosure. Its seamless integration with Evolve’s Helix module created a highly adaptable, multi-node ISR capability.
7. Solution Overview
Each Sky Mantis 2 drone is outfitted with the RM-2025-62M3 Mini Mesh Rider Radio. Operating in the 1625–2500 MHz band, the radio supports encrypted full-duplex communication between the airframe and ground control, and between multiple drones when operating in mesh. The system’s Helix extension leverages this mesh capability to expand comms coverage and enable shared situational awareness across distributed assets.
8. Program or Mission Win
Sky Mantis equipped with Doodle Labs radios has been successfully deployed in a variety of operational environments, from maritime overwatch to forested terrain and disaster response zones. Missions have included beyond-line-of-sight (BLOS) ISR, convoy support, and mesh-enabled reconnaissance—delivering encrypted video and data feeds at range, even when GPS and traditional RF paths were unreliable.
9. Platform or System Highlights
- Radio Model: RM-2025-62M3 Mini
- Frequency Range: 1625–2500 MHz
- Capabilities: Secure video/telemetry link, multi-hop mesh networking, over-the-air configurability
- Form Factor: Compact Mini format for tight SWaP integration
- Certifications: MIL-STD environmental resilience, IP-rated housing
10. Performance Validation
The RM-2025-62M3’s performance is grounded in extensive field testing and long-range airborne benchmarks:
- Sustained UDP throughput of up to 11.6 Mbps at short ranges
- Reliable links maintained beyond 200 km in optimal line-of-sight scenarios
- Latency below 10 ms under typical operating conditions
- Robust performance across varied terrain, including NLOS conditions in cluttered RF environments
11. Strategic Impact
The addition of Doodle Labs radios to Sky Mantis 2 enhances the system’s ability to operate in decentralized, disconnected, and denied (D3) environments. It supports new mission types—like cooperative ISR and autonomous swarming—and gives Evolve Dynamics’ customers a resilient, open-architecture UAS platform that’s easy to deploy and scale.
12. Looking Ahead
Future developments include tighter integration of the Mesh Rider control plane with onboard autonomy modules, as well as trials of spectrum-aware routing and AI-enhanced mesh coordination. The Sky Mantis + Doodle Labs pairing is at the core of Evolve’s vision for an adaptable, multi-mission UAS platform optimized for the edge.
