DURING THE Commonwealth Games 2010, an aerostat (helium balloon) stole the show. Now, Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has launched first aerostat radar and scientists have successfully tested the surveillance probe-on-balloon in Agra.
The indigenous aerostat is a giant helium-filled balloon tethered to the ground with long cables, carrying electro-optic and COMINT (communication intelligence) payloads and has night vision cameras and sound recorders, weighs around 300 kg.
The medium-sized 32-foot-long aerostat with a capacity of 2,000 cubic metres was under development for the past four years. DRDO has spent around Rs 70 crore on research and development of the device. It can survey areas up to 20 km away and with advanced cameras; its range can go beyond 100 kms.
Aerial Delivery Research Development Establishment designed and fabricated it at high-tech platform. The aerostat will be used for communication and surveillance. The platform integrates high-end technology, aerodynamics, balloon techniques, hydraulics and high-pressure cylinder technology.
The Indian army and Air Force till now relied on Israeli aerostats’ manufacturer Elta for the radars that are deployed along the country's western borders but it had not been performing well. In addition, the Indian version would be a cheaper option. The aerostat can carry out steering, scanning and tracking with high precision. The payload also contains a thermal-imaging camera for surveillance during night and in low visibility conditions.
The radars on aerostats can be operated in a 360-degree search mode and can stay afloat round-the-clock for four to five weeks at one go. On 25th December 2010, the scientists at Aerial Delivery Research and Development Establishment in Agra carried out surveillance all over Agra and intercepted a variety of communications by flying the aerostat up to an altitude of one km. The complete balloon system, ground-based command and control systems and the payloads were integrated for the three-day trial that culminated on 28th December successfully.
The electronic intelligence payload carries a communication intelligence system for capturing and analysing all types of communication in air.
It will help in surveillance along the Pakistan and China border; the forces are in the need of aerostats to plug the gaping security holes along India’s 7,500 km coastline, which is increasingly becoming vital from a strategic perspective. Trials had been completed and the aerostat is ready for induction.
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