lighter-than-air vehicles - Defense Innovation Marketplace

Table 23: HALE-D Technical SpecificationsFigure 36: Illustration of HALE-D Profiles and Solar Panels 12Length: 232 ft.Flight Ceiling: 60,000 ft.Diameter: 74.5 ft.Duration: 2–3 weeksVolume: 580,000 cu. ft.Cruise Speed: 18 kts. (26 kts. max)Max Payload: 80 lbs.Mass: 3,800 lbs.Payload Type: ISRPayload power available: 150 WL3 Communications Mini-CommonData Link (MCDL).The first and only flight of the HALE-D wasconducted on 27 July 2011. The airshipexperienced a technical failure three hoursinto a planned 2-week demonstration at60,000 ft. After failing to ascend above32,000 ft. recovery operations wereconducted, resulting in a crash landing. Theenvelope, solar cells, and payload weredamaged and destroyed. 4HALE-D was initiated in FY03 with fundingfrom the Missile Defense Agency (MDA).The Army SMDC took over funding inFY08. The program was terminated in FY11and there is no future funding planned.Figure 37: HALE-D Demonstrator in Hangar 1244