AKRON, Ohio, Feb. 10 /PRNewswire/ -- Lockheed Martin Tactical Defense
Systems, Akron, will demonstrate its commercial off-the-shelf, rapid-response,
small aerostat surveillance system for use in military and commercial
applications at the upcoming Association of the U.S. Army Symposium, February
15-17, at Orlando's Radisson Twin Towers Hotel.
A two-person crew deploys this local surveillance system in less than two
hours to an altitude of 1,000 feet. At altitude, the Class IV-shaped aerostat
delivers radar coverage out to a 30-kilometer circumference, optical coverage
to 10-plus kilometers, and relays communications to 70 kilometers depending
upon the type of sensor deployed. With the ability to interchange electronics
suites, the aerostat can serve in a number of roles to support other force
components.
One trailer contains the deflated 8K (8,000 cubic feet) aerostat
surveillance system and all of its equipment, serves as the deployment and
operations vehicle and is the communications headquarters. The trailer fits
into the cargo hold of a transport aircraft and connects to a standard dual-
axle pickup truck for deployment.
An electro-optical camera, the most-often-used surveillance sensor, can be
supplemented with an infrared camera, or replaced by a radar, electronic
support measures (ESM), laser designator or other equipment on the same
aerostat. Low total system cost give users the ability to field several 8K
systems, each with a different sensor. When integrated, this complementary
surveillance approach provides a depth of protection not possible with other
airborne or ground assets.
Ronald G. E. Browning, director of Lockheed Martin's Surveillance Systems
Business Development, said, "Mobility of any tactical surveillance equipment
is paramount to effective protection. Our 8K aerostat system gets to different
trouble spots as fast as the forces that support it. If there is a need 100
miles down the road, the crew inhauls the aerostat, packs all the equipment
into the trailer within two hours, and moves on down the road. Setup is just
as fast."
Besides military applications, this system is ideal for use by both
immigration control and border security services as a mobile deterrent to
groups who try to avoid border checkpoints. With its rapid response, the
presence of such a system serves as a visual warning as well as a wide-area
detection device. Browning says that this system will be marketed to safety
forces assigned to protect tourists and civilian crowds at attention-grabbing
special events that require protection in light of recent terrorist strikes.
Browning also sees this type of eye in the sky as an ideal platform to survey
damage and direct personnel during emergencies and on the heels of natural
disasters.
To date, 8K aerostats primarily have served as television camera platforms
above sporting events such as the college football Bowl Championship Series
Fiesta Bowl and tournaments on the Association of Tennis Professionals tour.
Lockheed Martin's partner, TetherCam, Inc., of Canada, has operated this
system at a number of events nationwide.
"What makes this platform ideal for all types of sensors is its Class IV
shape, the most aerodynamically stable shape available. This shape has been
proven on a number of aerostat sizes in operational use today," Browning said.
Lockheed Martin has other, much larger aerostats available for deployment
at fixed sites. "Our 420K Aerostat is the platform of choice by the U.S. Air
Force for deployment in the Tethered Aerostat Radar Surveillance (TARS)
systems along the southern U.S. border," Browning reports. "These aerostats,
equipped with Lockheed Martin L-88 radars, have been on duty for a number of
years."
Lockheed Martin Tactical Defense Systems in Akron, Ohio, with about 1,100
employees in the U.S., is the Lockheed Martin center of excellence for
lighter-than-air technology and a part of Lockheed Martin Naval Electronics
and Surveillance Systems. The business unit is also a premier provider of
tactical flight simulation and training systems, tactical defense and platform
self-protection systems, and naval instrumentation and controls for customers
worldwide. Naval Electronics and Surveillance Systems is the largest business
organization in Lockheed Martin Electronics Sector, a leader in the design,
development and manufacture of advanced electronic systems for global defense,
aerospace, civil and commercial markets.
SOURCE Lockheed Martin Tactical Defense Systems
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CONTACT:
Cary J. Dell of Lockheed Martin Tactical
Defense Systems, Akron, 330-796-8458
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