Durabook Introduces Versatile, Rugged Ground Control Station

Durabook has introduced the GC-R8 rugged Ground Control Station (GCS) for Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV) operations. Durabook specifically developed the GC-R8 to play to the strengths of its R8 Rugged Tablet’s suitability for unmanned systems and mission control, and to uniquely accommodate a broad range of customizations. The R8 Rugged Tablet with 8-inch LCD display is equipped with 12th generation Intel® Core™ processors. Seamless integration of the GC-R8 with the R8 Rugged Tablet realizes a fully featured, portable, next-generation ground control system ready to handle applications across defense, industrial, and field operations.

The Durabook GC-R8 delivers unrivalled durability and flexibility built on the powerful R8 Rugged Tablet. A key differentiator of the GC-R8 is its unique breadth of customization capabilities as it enables real-time precision control with up to 36 customizable I/O channels, supporting joysticks, D-pads, toggle switches, thumb wheels, and diverse buttons. These options allow the GCS to better support a wide diversity of application and user requirements. Alongside this launch, Durabook is actively collaborating with partners to develop additional GCS solutions based on the R8.

Reliability is critical in UAV/unmanned systems applications from defense reconnaissance to search and rescue to commercial surveying and the work is often conducted in the harshest environments, so Durabook made the GC-R8 MIL-STD-810H compliant and it is IP66 certified. The controller is designed with quiet, fanless Coolfinity™ technology, and withstands an operating temperature range from -4°F to 140°F. Together with the R8 Rugged Tablet, the system comes with a sunlight-readable 8-inch HD DynaVue® display (up to 800 nits) that remains operable with gloves, in night vision, or in stealth mode.

Equally important as flexibility and reliability, the GC-R8 provides dependable connectivity and secure communication. Its broad-spectrum antenna design supports frequencies from 600 MHz to 7125 MHz, covering all cellular and Wi-Fi bands, and allows integration of third-party RF modules for extended range including L-Band, S-Band, and C-Band for industrial and military UAVs. The GC-R8 unified communication platform offers multiple wired and wireless datalink options, including military-grade M12 LAN and USB connectors. Out in the field the controller offers long operational endurance but the R8 Tablet can also be fit with a high-capacity battery.

The new RC-R8 Ground Control Station is available for purchase now.

For more information, visit https://www.durabook.com.