The Israeli-based aerostat company RT LTA Systems Ltd. will present its SkyStar family of aerostats, which includes the SkyStar 100, SkyStar 180 and SkyStar 330, at ExpoDefensa exhibition.
The SkyStar 180 aerostat which will be displayed at the exhibition, was recently deployed in Colombia during Pope Francis’s visit and the two massive Masses the pope presided over in Colombia. In addition to securing massive public events and protecting important VIP’s, the SkyStar 180 system is also ideal for border protection missions. Recently, one SkyStar 180 aerostat system was sold to a country in Asia, for means of border control and protection.
The SkyStar 180 is a small-sized mobile aerostat, designed for tactical mid-range surveillance and public safety, as well as for police and military applications. The SkyStar systems already accomplished more than 1 million operational hours worldwide, offering availability of over 85% in any given area.
Based on a towable trailer, the system has a stabilized day/night electro-optical payload suspended from a helium-filled aerostat, tethered to a ground system. It operates continuously at wind velocity of up to 40 knots, and can lift a payload of up to 20kg, providing surveillance coverage from an altitude of up to 1,000 ft. for up to 72 hours, after which it is brought down for a 20-minute helium refill. Only 2 people are required to fully maintain the system.
SkyStar 180 is Ideal for defense, security, border control and public safety missions, as it provides persistent surveillance and communication over long periods of time at a very minimal cost. In addition to securing Pope Francis’ visit to Colombia, the SkyStar 180 system was also deployed during previous visits of the Pope to other countries, including Israel and Africa. Also ideal for securing sports events and other massive public events, the SkyStar 180 was deployed during the Tokyo 2017 marathon, as well as during previous Olympic Games and during the FIFA World Cup in Brazil.
The SkyStar 180 system is also an ideal mean to support VIP security. For example, the system was deployed during President Trump’s visit to Israel, during the Paris climate summit (COP 21), and twice during the G8 Summit (Russia, Canada).
In addition to public safety and VIP security, the SkyStar 180 system is also optimal for search and rescue as well as for border protection missions, and is being used continuously by the IDF on the border with the Gaza Strip. In the US, the SkyStar 180 system was chosen to be one of the approved technologies for purchase in the annual AEWE (Army Expeditionary Warrior Experiment) conducted by the US Army.
Alongside the Skystar 180 aerostat, RT will also display the Skystar 110 aerostat. The SkyStar 110 is a micro balloon system, designed to provide field commanders with real time “over the hill” reconnaissance capability. The system is compact, robust and can be transported, assembled, launched and operated by only two personnel after minimal training. Backpack or pickup truck transportable, the system can be assembled and launched in only 15 minutes, for a 1,500 feet surveillance range. SkyStar 110 Handheld Personal Ground Control Station (PGCS) is a compact unit that can be worn over a protective vest or mounted on a tripod. The SkyStar 110 is operational under extreme weather conditions with low operational and maintenance costs.
Rami Shmueli, RT’s CEO: “RT’s SkyStar aerostats provide persistent surveillance for long periods of time at a very minimal cost. No other defense system, manned or unmanned, is as cost-effective as aerostats, and that is why it is an ideal mean for securing massive public events and important VIP’s, such as Pope Francis’ during his visit to Columbia. The SkyStar 180 system is also ideal for border security, and just recently another SkyStar system was sold to a country in Asia, where it will be used for border security and protection missions”.
