SIOUX FALLS, S.D., Nov. 22 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Raven Industries,
Inc. (Nasdaq: RAVN) today announced that its Aerostar International, Inc.
subsidiary has supported a field test this month that confirmed that balloons
can be used as communications relays for voice and data in a tactical setting.
The project, named High Altitude Relay Router Experiment (HARREX),
evaluated the utility of free flying near-space balloon platforms for
in-theater communications support. HARREX is a joint effort of Office of Naval
Research, Naval Research Lab, Naval Air Systems Command, and Air Force
Research Lab (AFRL). The balloons are designed to carry a 100 lb.
communications and support payload to 70,000 feet. At that altitude, ground
units can communicate through the balloon relays at a range of up to 200
miles.
The balloons are specially designed for rough launch conditions in high
winds. The innovative launch system, developed by AFRL, will allow a small
crew to quickly move to a launch site, inflate the balloon, and launch it in a
matter of minutes. In addition to the balloons, Aerostar has designed and
manufactured the parachute systems for returning the payloads safely to earth.
Once operational, the system will be inexpensive enough to be deployed by
local commanders. Future demonstrations will provide continuous coverage over
a specified area for several days with increased data capabilities.
HARREX is part of Aerostar's ongoing technology roadmap in developing
inexpensive stratospheric LTA (Lighter Than Air) platforms for military and
commercial use.
On November 18, Aerostar had announced the successful flight of
"HiSentinel" a powered stratospheric airship. That project focused on
developing small near-space airships for inexpensive tactical communications
and Intelligence Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) applications.
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This release contains statements that may constitute forward-looking
statements within the meaning of federal securities laws. Although Raven
Industries, Inc. believes that expectations reflected in such forward-looking
statements are based on reasonable assumptions, it can give no assurances that
its expectations will be achieved. Factors that could cause actual results to
differ from expectations include general economic conditions, the success of
research projects, and the amount of budgeted funding from US government
agencies.
On the Internet, information is available at http://www.ravenind.com, the
company's website.
SIC Codes: 3672, 3081, 3829
SOURCE Raven Industries, Inc.
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Related links:
http://www.ravenind.com
CONTACT:
Tom Iacarella, VP & CFO, +1-605-336-2750, or
Mike Smith, Sr. Aerospace Engineer, +1-903-885-0728, both of
Raven Industries, Inc.; or Dennis Waite, General Inquiries,
+1-708-246-6265, or Leslie Loyet, Analyst Inquiries,
+1-312-640-6672, or Tim Grace, Media Inquiries, +1-312-640-6741,
all of Financial Relations Board, for Raven Industries, Inc.
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