Carolina Unmanned Vehicles (CUV) has announced that during the 21st Century Maneuver, Logistics, and Force Protection Advanced Naval Technology Exercise (ANTX) at USMC Base, Camp Lejeune North Carolina, it successfully demonstrated the Small Tactical Multi-Payload Aerostat System (STMPAS).

Described as a “mobile cost effective aerostat system,” STMPAS provides persistent 24/7 EO/IR Surveillance, Networked Communications Relays and Signal Intelligence collection.

During missions, CUV flew with a gyro-stabilized camera Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) payload, as well as with three different radio relays provided by other companies participating in ANTX. CUV says that it only saw one of the relay payloads before it arrived at ANTX, which showcased the versatility of STMPAS, and the ease of accommodating varied payloads.

CUV notes that traditional aerostats cannot operate in high winds unless they are fairly large—typically with 200 pounds of lift or more. This size makes them “unsuitable for deployment to small isolated bases or in expeditionary operations,” CUV says.

STMPAS uses the Allsopp Helikite lifting aerostat, which has lifting surfaces that generate aerodynamic lift to support the blimp in winds that would drive traditional designs into the ground. STMPAS can be smaller and more mobile than traditional aerostat systems with the Helikite, while still being to operate in high winds.

All STMPAS equipment has superior mobility, mission utility and adverse weather capability, and can fit into a single military trailer. The STMPAS blimp can fly anywhere between 500 and 3,000 feet for low cost, long term coverage for 24 hours a day for a week or more without maintenance or downtime. It can also operate for weeks at a time at a cheaper cost than comparable aircraft or UAS.

Designed to support mobile or expeditionary operations, STMPAS can also be used for mobile border security and post-disaster communications support. The Army Rapid Equipping Force (REF) deployed previous versions of STMPAS to provide ISR capability for small tactical units in Afghanistan.

STMPAS can also be used for surveillance, communications relay and research for DOD and Homeland Security missions.