Unmannedairships

Unmanned airships and balloons - often referred to as Unmanned Aerial Vehicles or UAVs - are the unsung workhorses of the lighter-than-air world. Their simple

function is to carry a payload aloft - anything from airborne early warning (AEW) or air-reconnaissance equipment, to environmental monitors, cameras or advertising.

These craft come in a huge range of sizes. Some of the larger unmanned airships flying at the moment are as big as their manned counterparts. They are primarily intended for scientific or telecommunications missions, often riding high in the atmosphere, and in some cases they are only the scale prototypes for a generation of massive High Altitudes Airships (HAAs) yet to come.

Tethered balloons, or 'aerostats', have been deployed by the military for over a hundred years and the modern equivalent of the observation balloon carries AEW/surveillance equipment to maintain a permanent eye-in-the-sky for battlefield and homeland security. Smaller versions can monitor an indivual location or event.

Coming down the scale there are the remotely controlled airships which have been used very successful for aerial photography and filming, often employing live video downlinks for real-time images/control. Tests have been conducted by security forces in various countries evaluating them as a cheaper alternative to helicopters. Similar craft can also be used for aerial advertising and promotional work, subject to the regulations of individual countries. Increasingly they are being put to work as an eye-catcher which rises above the clutter of indoor exhibitions or conferences, and they are equally at home in a sports or music arena. Contact us to discuss your needs.