Ukrainian defense technology team 1ms has introduced an innovative rapid-deploy solution named Smart Mast, designed to ensure continuous and reliable communications for drones on the frontline. The Smart Mast is a mobile telescopic mast that acts as a signal relay, significantly boosting connectivity for reconnaissance and first-person view (FPV) drones operating in intense combat zones.
Unlike older communication systems that take more than 40 minutes to set up, the Smart Mast can be deployed in just one or two minutes. This swift deployment capability is made possible by its electric drive mechanism, telescopic guides, and collapsible legs, enabling troops to quickly establish critical drone communication links even in high-pressure situations.
The device includes a tilt-and-swivel antenna system that lets operators precisely point the antenna towards drones to ensure strong signal reception and prevent communication dropouts. For future iterations, the developers plan to integrate automatic tracking technology, allowing the antenna to automatically adjust its direction based on the drone’s location.
Designed with portability in mind, the Smart Mast comes in multiple variants, including 4-meter and 6-meter models that can be carried by a single soldier. The development of this system reflects feedback from frontline units and aims to enhance Ukraine’s drone operations by providing a flexible, fast-to-deploy communication backbone essential for modern reconnaissance and combat missions.
