Airbus and Aerostar have completed a series of joint test flights of their combined stratospheric capabilities to validate applications for the US military.
The event saw the launch of Airbus’ Zephyr solar-electric drone as well as Aerostar’s Thunderhead stratospheric balloon, which was integrated with various satellite communication (SATCOM) terminals configured for high-altitude operations.
Among the benchmarks evaluated were the network’s functionality to support intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) sensors through the stratosphere, which could sustain the real-time exchange of data “for critical decision-making.”
Before the demonstrations, the consortium deployed an engineering team to reconfigure the SATCOM terminals according to weight requirements and demanding, long-endurance missions in the sky.
The trials were conducted in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, from November to early December.
“Engineering teams from both companies have worked in a collaborative fashion over the past few months which, no-doubt, will allow both companies to profit from each other’s expertise on stratospheric operations and payload integration,” Airbus US Unmanned Aerial Systems Engineering Director Fabian Kluessendorf explained.
“Having the ability to relay high fidelity ISR data such as full motion video from anywhere in the world at real time is a massive step towards mission readiness for the US and our allies. Performing these developments jointly also paved the ground for future joint operations that exploit the complimentary character of these two stratospheric assets.”
Aiming for ‘Unmatched’ High-Altitude Platforms
Airbus and Aerostar’s collaborative research and development project follows the US military’s plan in 2023 to launch an official program producing high-altitude ISR technologies, including a spy balloon, to increase warfighter reaction time against potential threats.
The Pentagon first revealed this initiative in 2022 in response to Russian and Chinese hypersonic advancements.
“High Altitude Platforms, whether lighter-than-air or fixed-wing, offer unmatched persistent sensing and communications, sustaining operations over target areas for weeks to months,” Aerostar Stratospheric Solutions VP Russ Van Der Werff commented on the latest milestone.
“No other system can deliver comparable endurance, and at a fraction of the cost of traditional assets. We look forward to continuing our partnership with Airbus and maturing the state of the art for [high-altitude platforms] in defense applications.”
