lighter-than-air vehicles - Defense Innovation Marketplace

AltusTable 4: Altus Program OverviewVehicle Class: Hybrid Aerostat/AirshipMission Set: ISR/Force ProtectionOrganization(s): Army REFPrimary Contractors: Silicis Technologies Inc.Program Start: 2011Technology Readiness Level (TRL): 6Figure 11: Computer Rendering of Altus System 18The technical objective of Altus is toenhance a unit’s persistent surveillancecapabilities. Small units will have the abilityto monitor the immediate area, providereconnaissance beyond obstacles andremotely identify targets of interests. Systemwill provide early warning of threats andinsurgent operations. The system will beoperated by soldiers rather than contractorfield service representatives (FSRs) andmust be deployable by CH-47 or similar toremote locations. 18An important key differentiator is that theAltus is a hybrid platform, capable ofoperation as a tethered aerostat or as anunmanned airship. The system includessignificant automation of both the inflationprocess and the flight controls and can bedeployed by a 4-man team with a relativelyshort training cycle. Altus is highly portablecompared to typical aerostats, with mostcomponents carried in four pelican cases inaddition to an MEP-831A generator and awinch. Lightweight helium cylinders arealso included with the system, althoughHigh Pressure Cylinder Assemblies willlikely be used in OEF due to the existingsupply chain. The highly automated systemis capable of unmanned airship or aerostatoperation with a radio frequency (RF) datalink to provide full-motion video (FMV)from an on-board Electro-Optical/Infrared18, 19(EO/IR) camera system.System flight dynamics are still underevaluation to determine stability inunfavorable wind conditions and mayrequire changes to the control surfaces.Airship mode has not been formallyevaluated at this time as it will require acertificate of airworthiness prior to operationwithout a tether and will also requireoperators trained to Army Requirements(AR) 95-23 standards. This trainingrequirement may not be compatible with theintent to allow small units to utilize thesystem with minimal advance18, 19preparation.Silicis is currently partnering with DRSTechnologies, Inc. to field the DRS205Electro-Optical/Infrared/Laser Designator/Laser Range Finder (EO/IR/ LD/LRF)Targeting System, which employs the latestin sensor technology and provides a small,lightweight, sensor system for smallUnmanned Aircraft (UA) and aerostats. Thissensor system enables the UA or aerostat15