Terrain Follow: Paladin automates altitude so pilots can focus on missions

Terrain Follow is a flight capability added to Paladin's Watchtower platform. When an operator sets a mission at a chosen height above ground level (AGL) — for example, 200 feet AGL — the drone adjusts its absolute altitude as the underlying terrain rises or falls. That means the aircraft will climb over hills and descend into valleys to keep the same clearance above ground, whether the terrain changes by small amounts or by hundreds of feet.

Operators configure a mission altitude in Watchtower. Terrain Follow then uses onboard systems and the platform's data to track the ground elevation beneath the drone and automatically change vehicle altitude to preserve the selected AGL. The feature works during autonomous mission flights and during manual piloting.

Paladin says more customers are operating in geographically complex areas where terrain variation is a routine factor. Pilots juggling weather, regulations, aircraft limits, and other variables previously had to manually adjust altitude for every rise and fall in terrain. Terrain Follow removes that repetitive task so pilots can spend their attention on mission priorities such as monitoring live feeds, gathering intelligence, and supporting on‑ground responders.

• Smoother mission execution: Automated altitude adjustments create steadier flight paths and can speed mission progress.
• Reduced human error: Automating repetitive altitude corrections lowers the risk of missed adjustments during complex operations.
• Simpler operation in complex environments: Teams operating around mountains, slopes, industrial sites, or infrastructure corridors can reduce manual workload.
• Greater mission coverage: Areas that were operationally demanding because of elevation change become easier to reach and manage.

The feature is presented for agencies using DFR systems that must operate across varying topography. Typical use cases include emergency response missions near mountainous terrain, corridor inspections that cross ridgelines and valleys, and operations around industrial sites with significant grade changes.

Terrain Follow is delivered inside Paladin's Watchtower software and is available for any Paladin drone compatible with the platform. The company positions it as one of the most requested flight capabilities and frames the release as part of ongoing development to simplify DFR missions.

Terrain Follow automates altitude relative to ground but does not remove operator responsibility for mission planning, airspace compliance, or managing other flight variables such as weather and aircraft limitations. Pilots must still set the desired AGL and manage mission goals and safety decisions.

Paladin invites interested teams to book a demo to see Terrain Follow working within Watchtower and to evaluate how it integrates into existing DFR workflows.