Drone Aviation to Upgrade Department of Defense Tactical Aerostats

By Mike Ball / 05 Apr 2016

Smart Sourcing for Unmanned Systems

Discover cutting-edge solutions from leading global suppliers
SUPPLIER SPOTLIGHT
Follow UST

WASP aerostat systemDrone Aviation Holding Corp., a manufacturer of tethered drones and lighter-than-air aerostats, has announced that it has been awarded a contract to upgrade existing U.S. Government-owned Winch Aerostat Small Platform (“WASP”) tactical aerostat systems from Department of Defense (DoD) prime contractor BAE Systems.

The upgrade contract, valued at $194,000, includes a number of technical enhancements to the WASP systems currently owned and operated by a DoD customer. These upgrades will enable enhanced flight operations and greater payload flexibility as a result of an upgraded APIU (Aerial Payload Interface Unit) specially designed to support a wide variety of payloads including advanced video and communications systems. This current upgrade award from BAE follows a recent award earlier this month for multiple WASP Gen 2 systems for a new DoD customer.

“The second generation WASP is the result of our DoD-focused strategy with continuing improvements from extensive field tests and operational feedback from soldiers, our military customers and our team over the past few years. The Gen 2 system enhances an already highly capable platform that is redefining the roll of modern, mobile, tethered tactical aerostats. With its new capabilities, the WASP can provide enhanced force protection, situational awareness and communications range extension in a single, compact, cost-effective solution that can be operated nearly anywhere by just a few operators,” said Jay Nussbaum, Chairman of Drone Aviation Holding Corp. “Our goal over the next few months is to support the increased interest in the WASP by the military and assist our allies in combating the growing incidence of terrorism and armed conflicts now taking place around the world.”

Over the past 3 years, the U.S. Army-owned WASP systems have successfully completed operations in multiple DoD exercises including Army Network Integration Evaluations (NIEs) 14.1, 14.2, 16.1 where WASP has been utilized by the U.S. Army as a tactical battlefield solution that can support ground based soldiers, armor, and air assets through comms retransmissions. Operating at altitudes up to 1,500 feet AGL with launch sites at 6,000 feet ASL, the WASP system can significantly extend ISR (Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance) capabilities and communications in remote and austere locations. The soldier-operated systems can be rapidly configured to support a variety of mission requirements for days, weeks or months with customized payloads.

Posted by Mike Ball Mike Ball is our resident technical editor here at Unmanned Systems Technology. Combining his passion for teaching, advanced engineering and all things unmanned, Mike keeps a watchful eye over everything related to the unmanned technical sector. With over 10 years’ experience in the unmanned field and a degree in engineering, Mike’s been heading up our technical team here for the last 8 years. Connect & Contact

Latest Articles

Enhancing Hurricane Data Collection Through Fixed-Wing UAV Technology

Explore Black Swift Technologies’ SØ UAS, which provides cost-effective, autonomous storm data collection, advancing tropical cyclone research and improving forecasting in hazardous environments

May 17, 2025
Most Read Articles on UST This Week

Here’s our round-up of the five most read articles on UnmannedSystemsTechnology.com this week

May 16, 2025
Next Generation Drone Safety and Security at XPONENTIAL 2025

ParaZero Technologies will present the enhanced SafeAir™ M4 parachute recovery system with triple sensor redundancy, and the DefendAir counter-UAS net launcher and DropAir precision delivery system at XPO25 in Houston

May 16, 2025
Improving Consistency in Complex PCB Assemblies with Automated Selective Soldering

San Francisco Circuits addresses the limitations of wave and hand soldering, offering selective soldering and full-service PCB assembly solutions for unmanned systems

May 16, 2025
Autopilot Systems Optimize Rim Driven Thrusters for New Hybrid USV

HydroSurv’s new REAV-47 Unmanned Surface Vehicle (USV) integrates a tailored autopilot interface from Dynautics with advanced rim-driven thrusters, enabling precise control for marine survey applications

May 16, 2025
Scaling Safe BVLOS Drone Operations with Automated Compliance

PG&E uses AirData’s automated platform to ensure safe, compliant BVLOS drone operations, enhancing efficiency and wildfire risk management across California

May 16, 2025

Featured Content

WarrenUAS Secures FAA 44807 Exemption, Expanding Large UAS Training Capabilities

WarrenUAS has received FAA 44807 approval to train students on unmanned aerial systems weighing over 55 pounds in the NAS, placing it among only five U.S. organizations with this clearance, and expanding its national training leadership

May 15, 2025
Product Spotlight: Durable Lightweight Lithium-Ion Batteries for UAVs

American Lithium Energy (ALE)'s energy-dense lithium-ion battery cells combine high power output with built-in safety features, ideal for UAV and eVTOL applications in challenging environments

May 14, 2025
SAE Media Group Releases Agenda for Counter UAS Middle East & Africa 2025

The inaugural Counter UAS Middle East & Africa 2025 will gather global defense leaders in Amman to explore threats, technologies, and strategies shaping regional drone defense

May 13, 2025
Advancing Unmanned Systems Through Strategic Collaboration UST works with major OEMs to foster collaboration and increase engagement with SMEs, to accelerate innovation and drive unmanned systems capabilities forward.