BORDER & DEFENSE

Airships are an operationally attractive alternative to highly capable but costly ISTAR-enabled military drones, and the proliferation of smaller commercial UAVs that present SWaP (size, weight & power) challenges, which limit airborne support for border and other security missions. The flight performance capabilities of modern airships support manpower and budget efficient aerial patrol and monitoring, with the 40E Sky Dragon delivering further operational advantages like near vertical takeoff/landing (VTOL), single pilot operation, and lowered acquisition and sustaining costs versus fixed wing and rotary ISR alternatives.

The advanced 40E has been designed for more cost effective aerial monitoring and over-border observation because border security professionals readily appreciate the capabilities of robust ISR aircraft and helicopters, but not the manpower and acquisition/ sustaining costs associated with their flight operations. The Sky Dragon supports ISR mission success and efficiency with multi-payload mounting systems for radar, high-def EO/IR cameras, other remote sensing/designation technologies (e.g. LLDR/LIDAR), and/or communications relay and monitoring equipment.

HOMELAND & EVENT SECURITY

LTA aircraft and systems are an increasingly attractive alternative for aerial observation, especially for professionals challenged by longer mission duration (vigilant/ persistent need) and/or fiscal constraints. Airships (blimps) allow flexible integration of robust sensory payloads, and Helium filled aircraft can provide greater on-scene duration, or vigilance, when serving as mobile or area situational awareness assets. Use of near silent airships can be more appropriate for elevating HD low-light and thermal imaging systems than helicopters, to minimize altering the activities of active surveillance targets and disruption to sleeping civilians. As an observational platform, a Sky Dragon airship flying at 3,000M extends LOS horizon up to 225 kilometers, and provides urban flight duration up to 24 hours without refueling due to ‘free balloon’ capability.

Enhancing homeland security monitoring at major public and sporting events can be challenging, but airship operations are natural and generally attributed to telecast and advertising support. With a useable payload exceeding 900Kg, the 40E Sky Dragon supports advanced radar, real-time multispectral imaging (day/night, IR, UV, etc.), electronic intelligence, and many other sensory technologies. When carrying wireless antennas aboard, these elevated platforms can relay or transmit communications and other data types by extending line of sight (LOS) over the horizon, for coordination and dissemination of real-time HD video surveillance and other acquired data.

CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE MONITORING 

Airships provide great visibility and mobility, vigilant time on station, and can fly lower and/or slower to support observation and inspection operations. In populated areas, the lowered acoustic signature of airships can be particularly advantageous for night operations. They facilitate day and night inspection and monitoring, and have reduced fuel and maintenance costs per flight hour than capable alternatives.

MARITIME & PORT SURVEILLANCE 

Demand for LTA aerial surveillance in the 21st Century is being driven by geopolitical instability, mass migration, and the need for better threat detection, persistent/vigilant observation at lowered cost, and rapid response coordination. With most of the planet covered by water, the mobile range and loiter capability of airships can deliver mission flexibility and fiscal constraint for littoral, port, border and related patrol missions.

LTA assets such as multi-role airships can support detection/ interdiction of Panga boats, micro subs and other traffic, while delivering HD multi-spectral imaging for analysis, or documentation to support prosecution. Aeros’ airships have successfully aided smuggling interdiction missions, identifying and documenting clandestine night beach drop locations and the coordinated activities of organized criminals. The Sky Dragon’s near-silent operations and on-scene duration capability were partially responsible for the successful missions, which our team supported with hangar construction, operational support logistics, and air and ground crew training.