Link loss behavior is the predefined response a remote or autonomous system follows when its control or telemetry connection is interrupted. Depending on the system and its safety requirements, it may hold position, continue a limited task, return to a designated point, enter a safe state, or land. The specific response should be documented and tested; no single action is appropriate for every platform.
In cybersecurity and safety engineering, a lost link can result from interference, equipment failure, network disruption, or deliberate attack. For a drone, losing the operator connection is distinct from losing GPS: the aircraft might still estimate its position while no longer receiving commands, or keep communications while navigation becomes unreliable. Defenders should assess how the system detects link loss, what commands remain available, how it prevents unsafe or unauthorized behavior, and whether recovery is secure. Clear, verified fail-safe behavior limits risk when communications cannot be trusted or restored.