Last Updated: 11/10/2009*

Anticipating requirements for innovative and affordable ways to provide intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR), Raytheon is using aerostats — modern blimps or balloons — carrying hi-tech sensors to detect threats on the ground and in the air at distances that enable appropriate countermeasures.

RAID is one of the systems using an aerostat to elevate sensor platforms.

Airships Video

RAID Saves Lives

“RAID — Rapid Aerostat Initial Deployment — is saving lives,” said Peter Franklin, vice president of National and Theater Security Programs at Raytheon Integrated Defense Systems (IDS). “More than 300 RAID systems are deployed in Iraq and Afghanistan.”

Electro-optic infrared, radar, flash and acoustic detectors elevated by tethered aerostats and on 100-ft. telescoping tower systems enable warfighters in forward operating bases to “see” and know what threats and other activities are taking place far beyond the perimeter. This persistent surveillance provides warfighters with significantly increased safety and security.

Additional Aerostat-Enabled Systems

Other systems that rely on aerostats that Raytheon is developing include IDS’ Joint Land Attack Cruise Missile Defense Elevated Netted Sensor System (JLENS); an NCS’s Low Altitude Forensics system, and ISIS, a DARPA-sponsored long-range, high-altitude airship radar system on which Space and Airborne Systems (SAS) is partnering with Lockheed Martin.

“Aerostat-enabled systems have a numbers of advantages,” Franklin said. “They are much less expensive to build and operate than aircraft. They have a high operational availability and require a lot less maintenance. They can be ‘up’ providing persistent surveillance continuously for a very long time. Sensors systems can be tailored and reconfigured. And they are providing critical, life-saving intelligence.”

Today’s Systems Evolved From Hot Air Balloons

Today’s hi-tech aerostats evolved from hot air balloons dating back to the late 1700s. In wartime soldiers equipped with telescopes elevated in baskets under hot air balloons to see enemy troop locations and movements — performing the same function that sensors provide today. During World War II, blimps were used to patrol coastlines and convoys looking for submarines. The burning of the Hindenburg as it was landing in Lakehurst, N.J., in May 1937 put a damper on the new method for commercial luxury travel across the Atlantic, but blimps are still with us performing different functions. Today, it’s common to see the Goodyear, MetLife and other branded blimps providing aerial camera shots high over sporting events.

“What’s innovative is that we are recognizing distinct benefits by linking an old technology, although it was hi-tech in its day, with very sophisticated sensors for military ISR applications, and we are beginning to see new possibilities in adjacent markets,” Franklin said.

RAID Helped Protect the Indy 500

A RAID system was recently demonstrated at the Indianapolis 500. Equipped with EO/IR sensors, video and communications sensors, RAID demonstrated to officials concerned with security and spectator safety its value by providing situational awareness in what is billed as one of the largest sporting events of the year.

“Conducting this demo with Raytheon gives us the opportunity to evaluate new and innovative technology that keeps our venues safe and optimizes the racing experience for our fans,” said Charles Burns, director of Corporate Security for the Indy Racing League.

Other similar military and civil security applications for aerostat enabled technology are likely, Franklin predicts.