The test, which utilised an Aerostar Thunderhead Stratospheric Balloon system and modified satcom terminals, demonstrated the potential of stratospheric platforms to support ISR operations. Engineers adapted the technology for Aerostar’s high-altitude balloons and Airbus’s fixed-wing Zephyr platform, optimising them for extreme environmental conditions and long-duration flights.
Fabian Kluessendorf, Engineering Director for Airbus U.S. Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS), emphasised the collaborative effort behind the achievement. “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,” he said. He highlighted the significance of real-time, high-fidelity ISR data for mission readiness, adding that the partnership lays the groundwork for future joint operations.
The month-long flight, which began on November 8, 2024, and concluded on December 6, 2024, tested the resilience of communications systems under stratospheric conditions. The systems are designed to support ISR sensor applications, enabling near real-time data transmission critical for operational decision-making.
Russ Van Der Werff, Vice President of Stratospheric Solutions at Aerostar, praised the unique advantages of high-altitude platforms (HAPs). “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. No other system can deliver comparable endurance, and at a fraction of the cost of traditional assets,” he stated. He expressed optimism about continuing the partnership with Airbus to advance HAP technologies for defence applications.
