U.S. Army Unmanned Aerostat Upgraded with Advanced Communications Technology

By Mike Ball / 14 Feb 2019

Smart Sourcing for Unmanned Systems

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

US Army WASP tactical aerostat

Drone Aviation Holding Corp., a developer of tethered aerial monitoring and communications platforms, has announced that it has commenced the communications upgrade of a U.S. Army-owned Winch Aerostat Small Platform (“WASP”) tactical aerostat. The upgrade will enable secure communications links utilizing advanced waveforms connecting soldiers on the battlefield.

Designed to maximize payload flexibility, this latest WASP upgrade follows several customer-requested capability enhancements to incorporate the latest in secure communications and ISR (Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance), following deployment with Department of Defense forces. The WASP’s ability to incorporate the latest in secure communications and ISR equipment is enabled by its proprietary modular payload integration system. This modular system allows operators to “hot swap” payloads in theater to meet evolving mission requirements.

“A key to WASP’s ongoing success with the Army is due to its unmatched payload flexibility, a result of our customer-driven development focus which delivers tremendous operational advantages to our soldiers,” said Jay Nussbaum, Chairman and CEO of Drone Aviation Corp. “By enabling our armed forces to easily incorporate the latest technologies, we are helping ensure that they can communicate better, see further and know more, making WASP a go-to tactical communications platform.”

The WASP is a highly tactical and mobile aerostat system which can be operated by as few as two soldiers and can provide day/night video, secure multi-frequency and multi-wave form wireless communication range extension capability at the edge of the battlefield from either a stationary position or while being towed. Over the past four years, U.S. Army-owned WASP systems have successfully completed thousands of hours of soldier training operations, various DoD exercises, and customer operations.

WASP is currently being utilized by the DoD as a mobile, tactical aerial solution that can support multi-mission profiles involving ground and aerial-based assets through communication retransmission. Operating at altitudes of up to 1,500 feet AGL, the WASP system can significantly extend ISR capabilities and secure 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

Low- & Zero-Emission Propulsion & Power Generation Solutions for UAVs

NEX Power's hybrid propulsion technologies are designed to enable next-generation applications such as UAM and heavy-lift cargo drones

Feb 07, 2025
Most Read Articles on UST This Week

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

Feb 07, 2025
Project OPTIMAS to Utilize Schiebel VTOL UAS for Advanced Optical Laser Communications

Project OPTIMAS and Schiebel are set to develop a secure, high-speed optical communication system using quantum encryption and laser technology for multi-domain defence and satellite connectivity

Feb 07, 2025
Gemini 1200id High-Resolution Sonar Optimized for Unmanned Underwater Operations

Tritech's Gemini 1200id sonar offers high-resolution imaging, advanced noise reduction, and dual-frequency capability, enhancing performance for unmanned underwater systems and mission-critical ROV operations

Feb 07, 2025
Dockstr to Offer SubC Imaging’s Underwater Cameras & Software Solutions

SubC Imaging has announced Dockstr as its new agent, extending access to its advanced underwater cameras, DVRs, and remote operation systems across key offshore sectors worldwide

Feb 07, 2025
New NDAA-Compliant FPV Drone Camera Released 

Unusual Machines has launched the NDAA-compliant Fat Shark Aura FPV Camera, offering high-performance, first-person view capabilities for commercial and defense applications

Feb 07, 2025

Featured Content

Vertiq’s 81-08 G2 Module Added to DIU’s Blue UAS Framework

Vertiq's 81-08 G2 servo motor and control system for Group 2 sUAS has become the first motor and ESC combination to be approved under the U.S. government's Blue UAS Framework

Feb 05, 2025
Compact Remote ID Receiver Released for Enhanced Drone Safety

Dronetag has introduced RIDER, a pocket-sized, drone-agnostic Remote ID receiver designed to improve airspace situational awareness and support commercial and public safety applications

Jan 30, 2025
New GCS Software Released for C100 Quadcopter

Performance Drone Works introduces PDW CORE, a comprehensive software bundle enhancing the C100 quadcopter's capabilities with a new UI, flight simulator, mission planner, ATAK integration, and fleet management tools

Jan 29, 2025
Advanced Signal Mapping Tool Released for Effective UAV Flight Planning

Elsight has launched HeatSight, a signal strength mapping tool that provides UAV operators with reliable cellular coverage data, improving flight planning efficiency and safety for BVLOS missions

Jan 28, 2025
Doodle Labs Unveils Mobile App for Managing Mesh Networks

Doodle Labs is introducing the Mesh Rider® Mobile App, providing intuitive tools for managing wireless mesh networks across devices such as ground control stations (GCS) and UAVs

Jan 23, 2025
Advanced FOG-Based Inertial Sensing Solutions for Drones & Robotics

Aegiverse's products feature a multi-layered architecture that combines multiple elements into a compact module, providing significant, size, weight and cost reductions

Jan 21, 2025