UAS Range Extension

NuWaves RF Solutions delivers mission‑focused UAS range extension for drone and unmanned systems across Group 1–5 platforms, enabling reliable long‑range, beyond‑line‑of‑sight (BLOS), and line-of-sight (LOS) drone communications. Our low‑SWaP, high‑power bi‑directional amplifiers (BDAs), SSPAs, and industry‑leading RF products enhance transmit and receive performance to extend critical data‑links up through Ka-Band. Designed for airborne communication payloads and ISR missions, NuWaves solutions provide the robust RF range extension required for demanding drone operations.

UAS Range Extension Applications

ISR / Surveillance

Long-endurance ISR platforms live and die by their datalinks. NuPower Xtender bidirectional amplifiers extend C2 and full-motion-video range, while low-noise receive paths keep weak signals usable at the edge of the mission.

Cargo / Logistics

Autonomous resupply pushes far beyond line of sight. Compact Xtender BDAs hold command links and telemetry solid across the whole route — SWaP-optimized for airframes where every gram is payload.

Kinetic UAS (Loitering Munitions)

A loitering munition needs a link that holds to the last second. High-power, fast-switching bidirectional amplification keeps C2 and video alive through terminal approach — compact enough for expendable airframes.

Swarming UAS

Swarms multiply radios in an already crowded spectrum. Dual-channel MIMO Xtender BDAs and tight filtering keep every node in the formation connected and coordinated — without stepping on each other.

VTOL

VTOL drones (Vertical Takeoff and Landing) are advanced unmanned aircraft that take off and land like helicopters while flying efficiently like fixed-wing systems. Ideal for long-range missions, ISR, mapping, surveillance, and drone delivery, VTOL drones provide extended flight time, high endurance, and flexible operations in challenging environments.

Air-Launched Effects (ALE)

Air-Launched-Effects (ALE) drones are lightweight, deployable unmanned systems released from helicopters, fixed-wing aircraft, or larger UAVs to provide rapid ISR, targeting, electronic warfare, and threat detection. ALE drones deliver expanded battlefield coverage, enhance situational awareness, and enable flexible stand-off operations in contested or high-risk environments.

UAS Link Range by Product

Operator controlling a drone in the field

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Distance (km)
Radio alone (no BDA) Range with Xtender BDA — drone position
NuPower Xtender DUAL LS-20-S01-D30 dual-channel bidirectional amplifier Bidirectional Amplifier · 2×2 MIMO 1000–2500 MHZ25 W TX14 dB RX

NuPower Xtender DUAL LS-20-S01-D30

Dual-channel range extension for MIMO datalinks and ISR platforms.

 NuPower Xtender DUAL LS-20-S01-D19 dual-channel bidirectional amplifier Bidirectional Amplifier · 2×2 MIMO 1000–2500 MHZ25 W TXD19 VARIANT

NuPower Xtender DUAL LS-20-S01-D19

Two full transmit/receive chains in one SWaP-optimized module.

 NuPower Xtender LS-10-S01-D19 bidirectional amplifier Bidirectional Amplifier · Single Channel 1000–2500 MHZ25 W TXD19 VARIANT

NuPower Xtender LS-10-S01-D19

Range extension for half-duplex L- and S-band transceivers.

 NuPower Xtender LS-10-S01-D30 bidirectional amplifier Bidirectional Amplifier · Single Channel 1000–2500 MHZ25 W TX (10 W LINEAR)14 dB RX

NuPower Xtender LS-10-S01-D30

25 watts of transmit power with an integrated low-noise receive path.

 NuPower Xtender DUAL S-50-C02-S01 dual-channel bidirectional amplifier Bidirectional Amplifier · 2×2 MIMO 2200–2500 MHZ47 W TX12 dB RX

NuPower Xtender DUAL-S-50-C02-S01

Dual-channel 50-watt S-band range extension for MIMO datalinks and ISR platforms.

 NuPower Xtender DUAL S-50-C01-S01 dual-channel bidirectional amplifier Bidirectional Amplifier · 2×2 MIMO 2200–2500 MHZ47 W TX12 dB RX

NuPower Xtender DUAL-S-50-C01-S01

Two 50-watt S-band transmit/receive chains in one SWaP-optimized module.

 NuPower Xtender S-50-C01-S01 bidirectional amplifier Bidirectional Amplifier · Single Channel 2200–2500 MHZ50 W TX12 dB RX

NuPower Xtender S-50-C01-S01

50 watts of S-band transmit with an integrated low-noise receive path.

 NuPower Xtender SCISR-20-C01-S01 tri-band bidirectional amplifier Bidirectional Amplifier · Tri-Band 1000–2500 + 4400–5100 MHZ25 W L/S · 12 W C TX12 dB RX

NuPower Xtender SCISR-20-C01-S01

Tri-band range extension — L-, S-, and C-band coverage from a single module.
WHY NUWAVES

Proven Where It Counts

1000s

UNITS DELIVERED
Two decades supporting DoW, defense primes, and government programs with trusted RF solutions, backed by thousands of units delivered.
 

USA

DESIGNED & BUILT DOMESTIC
In-house design and state-of-the-art manufacturing in Middletown, Ohio.

SWaP

OPTIMIZED FOR THE EDGE
Miniature, power-efficient modules built for platforms where every gram and watt counts.

300+ km

PROVEN RANGE EXTENSION
Our solutions deliver extensive data link extension across a wide range of unmanned platforms, greatly enhancing your UAS’s ISR effectiveness and munitions delivery capability.
Business Development — UAS & C-UAS Initiatives

Zach D’Anna

Building a C-UAS system? Talk directly to our C-UAS lead.

Zach.DAnna@nuwaves.com +1 513-572-2606
CONNECT ON LINKEDIN
Zach D’Anna, Business Development — UAS and C-UAS Initiatives

Range Extension Insights & Technical Articles