What Elistair does

Elistair, founded in 2014 by Guilhem de Marliave and Timothée Penet and headquartered in Dardilly/Lyon, France, designs and manufactures tethered drone systems built around a patented micro-tether technology that delivers continuous power and secure, jamming-resistant data transmission to an aircraft in flight. Its product portfolio includes the Khronos automated tethered DroneBox (operational in under 2 minutes, RF Silent, GNSS-denied, target tracking, dual payload configurations combining Silvus StreamCaster 4200P tactical radios with Nextvision DragonEye2 EO cameras), the Safe-T 2 advanced tethering station (100m micro-tether, 110–220V input, DGAC-approved, compatible with 50+ drone platforms), and the Ligh-T 4 compact portable station (70m cable, DJI M30/M400 compatible). Endurance is the defining technical proposition: systems sustain 24–50+ hours of continuous flight with altitudes up to 100m, addressing battery-life limitations of conventional drones.

The company sells primarily to defense forces, public safety agencies, and industrial security customers — a customer base of 600+ spanning the US Army, UK Ministry of Defence, French Ministry of Armed Forces, Ukrainian Armed Forces, DGA, French National Police, NY State Police, United Nations, Hellenic Petroleum, and Petronas. Its go-to-market combines direct enterprise field sales with a global channel network (Delta Drone, Vector Solutions, Hellenic Drones SA, G4S Drone Services, Terra Spatium, Three Tis Group) and maintenance centers in Lyon and Wilmington, NC. Revenue mechanics are anchored on hardware sales of tethered drone systems, augmented by professional services (training, custom integration), extended warranty and managed maintenance contracts, and government defense procurement. Pricing is quote-based with multi-year contracts; a representative recent win is a €3M allied military order in February 2025, with the US market contributing over 40% of revenue. The company is privately held, having raised approximately €7M total across a 2018 seed and a 2021 Series B led by Omnes Capital.

Name

Elistair

Legal name

Elistair

Website

https://elistair.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2014

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Elistair, founded in 2014 in Lyon, France, designs tethered drone systems with patented micro-tether technology enabling 24–50+ hour persistent aerial surveillance. It serves 600+ defense, public safety, and industrial customers across 70+ countries, with hardware sales plus services and government defense contracts.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Unmanned Aerial Systems

NAICS

Other Aircraft Parts and Auxiliary Equipment Manufacturing (336413), Search, Detection, Navigation, Guidance, Aeronautical, and Nautical System and Instrument Manufacturing (334511)

SIC

Aircraft Parts & Auxiliary Equipment, Nec (3728), Search, Detection, Navagation, Guidance, Aeronautical Sys (3812)

akta.pro primary industry

UAS Launch/Recovery & Support Equipment (Catapults, Nets, Docking) (IMABAIAN)

akta.pro secondary industries

UAS Communications, Datalinks, SATCOM & Remote Control Systems (IMABAIAJ), UAS Integration, Certification & Compliance Systems (Remote ID, Detect-and-Avoid) (IMABAIAO)

Keywords

• Tethered drone systems
• Aerial surveillance systems
• ISR drone solutions
• Defense drone technology
• Persistent aerial intelligence

Headquarters

HQ city

Dardilly

HQ country

France

HQ region

Europe

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Technology or R&D, Personnel, Supply Chain, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Tethered Drone Hardware Sales: Sale of complete tethered drone systems including Khronos DroneBox and tethering stations (Safe-T 2, Ligh-T 4) along with compatible third-party drones for defense, security, and public safety applications.
2. Professional Services: Training services (on-site and at Elistair offices, group or individual, customized), maintenance services, warranty programs, and premium support services for tethered drone systems.
3. Extended Warranty and Maintenance Contracts: Optional warranty extensions, preventive maintenance, firmware/software updates, corrective maintenance with spare parts kits for ongoing operational support.
4. Government Defense Contracts: Major contracts with allied military forces and government agencies for small tethered UAS systems, such as the €3 million contract awarded in February 2025.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Elistair designs, manufactures and sells tethered drone systems (Khronos DroneBox, Safe-T 2, Ligh-T 4) that provide continuous, persistent aerial surveillance for defense, security, and public safety missions. The systems use patented micro-tether technology to deliver unlimited flight endurance through ground-supplied power and secure, jamming-resistant data transmission. Products are sold primarily to military forces, government agencies, law enforcement, and industrial security organizations globally.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Khronos DroneBox Fully automated tethered DroneBox for ISR (Intelligence, Surveillance, Reconnaissance) missions. Features RF Silent operation, GNSS Denied capability, Follow-me Function, Target Tracking, and Interoperability. Operational in less than 2 minutes, supports 24+ hours of ISR operations with 60m hovering height. Designed for defense agencies, military forces, and security organizations.
• Safe-T 2 Tethering Station Advanced tethering station compatible with more than 50 drone platforms for demanding missions. Features 100m micro-tether cable length, 110-220V power input, and DGAC approval. Designed for defense, security, and public safety applications requiring persistent aerial surveillance.
• Ligh-T 4 Compact Station Compact and portable tether station, multi-drone compatible including DJI M30 and M400. Features 70m cable length and is used by first responders in over 70 countries. Designed for rapid deployment scenarios requiring portability.
• Orion 1 Tethered Drone First fully automated tethered drone system, capable of 12 hours of continuous flight. Designed for defense, security, and event surveillance applications.
• Orion 2 Tethered Drone Hexacopter tethered drone providing continuous surveillance for up to 24 hours, with Orion 2.1 achieving 50-hour uninterrupted flight. Designed for defense, government, and industry users requiring persistent surveillance capabilities.
• Orion Heavy Lift (HL) Tethered drone system designed for tactical communications with variable-height antenna capabilities. Built for military, public safety, and interior security customers needing elevated communication relay.
• Orion 2.2 TE Tethered drone system with enhanced tactical functions, expanded payload range, and modular 2-in-1 structure. Includes integrated Nextvision Raptor camera for improved imaging and ISR capabilities.
• Khronos Dual Payload Configuration Dual payload configuration combining Silvus StreamCaster 4200P tactical radio and Nextvision DragonEye2 EO camera. Transforms the Khronos DroneBox into a multi-mission aerial mast providing secure communication relay and persistent ISR for defense applications.
• Training and Professional Services Training services (on-site and at Elistair offices, group or individual, customized), maintenance services, warranty programs, and premium support services for tethered drone systems.
• Extended Warranty and Maintenance Contracts Optional warranty extensions, preventive maintenance, firmware/software updates, corrective maintenance with spare parts kits for ongoing operational support of tethered drone systems.

Quantifiable outcome

• 50-hour continuous flight endurance achieved with Orion 2.1
• +7 more outcomes

Named customers22 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration4 records

AI capability6 records

Feature8 records

Partnerships

13 partnerships are on record, tiered minor, major and core.

• Milanion GroupminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026Strategic partnership announced at World Defense Show 2026 to enhance autonomous systems with improved ISR, navigation, and mission resilience through Assured-PNT partnerships.
• SMAUG ConsortiumminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 3 June 2025European project (Smart Maritime And Underwater Guardian) with €6M EU funding, 21 partners from 7 countries. Elistair providing autonomous maritime surveillance solutions.
• Terra SpatiummajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 13 May 2025Greek company awarded contract for 13 surveillance tethered drones integrated into Mobile Operations Centers (MOCs) for the Hellenic Fire Service wildfire response.
• ARX RoboticscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 26 November 2024Partnership with European autonomous robotics company to deliver combined Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) solution integrating tethered drones with unmanned ground vehicles (UGV). Successfully demonstrated with German Army.
• Rheinmetall CanadacoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 16 January 2024Partnership to provide military customers with mobile ISR solution combining Khronos tethered drone with Rheinmetall's Mission Master autonomous UGV fleet for combined aerial-ground reconnaissance.
• Delta DronemajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 2018French drone security service company providing tethered drone services for large events including Ryder Cup and French Grand Prix with 84 hours flight time achieved.
• Hellenic Drones SAmajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorGreek drone service provider deploying Elistair Ligh-T for Hellenic Petroleum refinery fire monitoring and other Greek security applications.
• Vector SolutionsmajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorUS-based product reseller and tether expert providing Elistair Ligh-T systems and expertise. Provided CNN with tethered drone support for US Democratic Debate coverage.
• G4S Secure SolutionsmajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorInternational security services company deploying Elistair Safe-T 2 stations with DJI M300 drones for World's Largest Music Festival (Tomorrowland) security covering 80,000 attendees.
• Three Tis GroupminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerMalaysia-based company group that conducted Elistair tethered UAS demonstration for Malaysia Airport Holdings Berhad managing 39 airports across the country.
• ThalesmajorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerMajor defense contractor that received first tethered station delivery in 2015. Partner for anti-drone and tethered drone webinar demonstrations with 28th Signals Regiment.
• CNNmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerMajor media network using Elistair Ligh-T for live aerial coverage of US Democratic Debate, demonstrating 13 hours of continuous flight for broadcasting.
• NFLmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerNational Football League using Elistair tethered drones for Super Bowl 53rd security and broadcasting operations.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Emerging players

• Dedrone: US-based counter-UAS detection and airspace management provider. Competes for similar defense and critical infrastructure security budgets and represents an adjacent player in the drone security category.
• DroneShield: Australian counter-UAS and drone detection company with growing defense traction. Adjacent competitor addressing the broader drone security and EW market Elistair serves, particularly in contested-environment ISR.

Direct peers

• Drone Aviation: Provider of tethered aerial platforms (FUSE Tether system and aerostats) for defense and commercial markets. Direct comparable in tethered persistent ISR for military and border security customers.
• Volarious: Tethered drone systems specialist focused on sports and event broadcasting and security. Competes with Elistair's Ligh-T product in the public safety and event surveillance vertical.
• Hoverfly Technologies: US-based manufacturer of tethered UAV stations (SkyTether) for defense and security ISR. Closest direct competitor in tethered drone ground station technology, targeting the same persistent aerial surveillance use cases as Elistair.

Broad incumbents

• Parrot SA: French drone manufacturer producing the ANAFI platform for defense and security users. Competes indirectly via its own short-range surveillance drones and benefits from the same European defense budgets driving Elistair.
• AeroVironment: US small-UAS prime (Puma, Raven, Switchblade) supplying defense and security customers worldwide. A broader incumbent in tactical UAS that increasingly overlaps with Elistair's ISR mission and is much larger and capital-rich.
• Thales: Global defense electronics integrator and Elistair's earliest customer (received first tethered station in 2015). Thales offers competing tactical ISR and drone-based solutions through its broader portfolio and could integrate tethered capability natively.
• Teledyne FLIR Defense: Supplier of small UAS (Black Hornet, R80D SkyRaider) and imaging payloads widely used in defense ISR. Competes in the same persistent surveillance mission as Elistair's Khronos and offers integrated sensor + airframe bundles.

Others

• Safran: French aerospace and defense prime with capabilities in optronics, drones (Patroller), and tactical communications. A potential ecosystem partner/competitor that could bundle tethered ISR offerings into larger defense programs.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/c/Elistair-drone
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/3720597
• Instagraminstagram.com/elistair_tech
• Xx.com/ElistairTC

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 records

Subsidiaries2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds5 records

Investors4 records

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Elistair