$133M to Lockheed Martin for US Army Aerostat-based Warning System
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Lockheed Martin received a $133 million award to provide the US Army with 8 additional Persistent Threat Detection Systems (PTDS) to support coalition forces in Iraq and Afghanistan.
A tethered aerostat-based system in use by the Army since 2004, PTDS is equipped with multi-mission sensors to provide long endurance intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance and communications in support of coalition forces. 9 systems are currently deployed, and the additional 8 will be provided over the next 11 months…
An aerostat is a lighter-than-air craft that relies on a ground tether for movement and often for power as well, as opposed to blimps which are self-powered, free-flying craft. DID has more coverage of military applications of aerostats.
The aerostat for the PTDS [PDF] is smaller than the aerostat used in the Tethered Aerostat Radar System (TARS), which provides surveillance along the US-Mexican border. The PTDS aerostat is 115 feet long with 74,000 cubic feet of helium and a 1,102 pound payload; the TARS aerostat made by Lockheed Martin is 1,640 feet long with 420,000 cubic feet of helium and a 2,205 pound payload.
In addition, the mooring for the PTDS aerostat is mobile and relocatable, making it suitable for use in combat situations and difficult terrain.
In addition to the aerostat, the PTDS includes:
- tether (powered with fiber optics)
- mobile mooring platform
- mission payloads
- ground control shelter
- maintenance and officer shelter
- power generators and site handling equipment
The PTDS uses a wide-area, secure communications backbone to communicate threat information from multiple sensors to the commanders in the field.
