Israel awarded a two-year contract to RT LTA to lease Skystar 180 aerostats by the hour for Israeli police, the company said on Jan. 12.
RT LTA develops and manufactures unmanned surveillance aerostats. The Skystar 180 is a small, portable system suited for tactical intelligence assignments and security operations, the company said.
The Skystar 180 carries a payload of up to 20 kilos, provides persistent surveillance from an altitude of 300 meters (1,000 feet), and is equipped with a day and night camera. It “requires only two operators, and can stay in the air continuously for 72 hours even in any weather condition,” the company said in a statement.
Based on a towable trailer, the system contains a stabilized optical payload suspended from a helium-filled aerostat tethered to a ground system and a Portable Ground Control Station (PGCS). The Skystar180 offers surveillance of fixed sites.
Under the contract, the Skystar 180 is to serve civilian law enforcement for events, concerts, soccer games, VIP security, and demonstrations.
RT LTA aerostat systems were previously used by the Israeli government in Operation Protective Edge and Operation Brothers’ Keeper.
The Skystar 180 is used in 10 countries and was active at the Fan Fest area in the Brazil World Cup Games in summer 2014.