LTAS Lighter-Than-Air Surveillance Systems
(pronounced El-Tass)

The LTAS series of aerial imaging and surveillance systems are unique in the crowded field of airborne surveillance. The LTAS systems are based on the Kingfisher tethered balloon which Aerial Products developed through collaboration with Embry Riddle Aeronautical University. The resulting design is from the combination of engineering and practical application knowledge in our design team. The Kingfisher Balloon can be scaled to lift as much as 200 pounds.

The use of a Lighter-than-air platform has many advantages, the two most important being;
1) Lowest operating cost versus alternative aerial methods.
2) The ability to stay on station for prolonged periods.

As the exclusive manufacturer of numerous military and heavy lift aerostats, Aerial Products has a solid reputation of providing reliable, helium-powered platforms for mission-critical deployments. LTAS Systems range from the low cost System 100 to the very sophisticated, cooled thermal, gyro-stabilized, all-weather LTAS System 300. If you have an aerial imaging and surveillance requirement, we have the solution. Please use our LTAS hot-line for immediate assistance: 888-973-5550 or email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

LTAS 50 System Emergency First Responders, Tactical Police Squads, Incident Response

LTAS 100 System Municipalities, Stadiums, County Sheriff's Deparments

LTAS 200 System Cities, State Agencies, Federal Agencies, Larger Counties

LTAS 300 System State and Federal Agencies, Defense Department and Related Agencies

LTAS System Series
LTAS 50 – When you need a wide visual for immediate situational awareness in a small package, the LTAS 50 is the solution.
LTAS 100 – Effective, capable, and flexible. System 100 models get the job done at a reasonable cost.
LTAS 200 – Feature-rich for demanding surveillance requirements but still easy to use. System 200 models offer stabilized, un-cooled and cooled thermal configurations.
LTAS 300 – Designed for military and critical domestic facility protection on a high-availability basis. System 300 addresses your most sophisticated requirements.

LTAS System Highlights
The LTAS System series employ a unique combination of robust technology with ground-breaking operational methods. Taking advantage of multi-megapixel sensors, all of the LTAS models offer mission benefits such as:
• Syndicated video to multiple observers, VIEWABLE WORLDWIDE
• Simultaneous wide view with zoomed view, SUPERIOR SITUATIONAL AWARENESS
• Long mission duration, DAYS ON STATION
• Quick deployment, MINUTES FOR LAUNCH
• Low Total Cost of Ownership, LOW OPERATING AND MAINTENANCE COSTS
• Modular system approach, AVOIDS TECHNOLOGY OBSOLESCENCE
• Easy deployment, operation and recovery, LOW TRAINING REQUIREMENTS
• Remote system diagnostics and repair, MINIMUM SKILLS REQUIRED TO MAINTAIN
• Incredible video image quality, LESS OPERATOR FATIGUE AND ERRORS

Benefits of LTAS Systems
1. Lowest Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) of any alternative airborne surveillance method
• Lower capital investment
• Less personnel required to operate
• Less cost to maintain and operate
a. Very few mechanical parts
b. Low fuel requirements (none if line-powered)
c. Lower personnel expertise to operate (no pilot or flight engineer required)
• Less cost to insure and bond
2. Longest duration and loiter time than any other type of platform
3. Far easier and less costly to train and operate than UAVs, fixed wing or rotary wing aircraft
4. Significantly less risk of public damage or civilian injury from a system failure
5. Most environmentally friendly method of aerial surveillance
6. Mobile in urban environments. Deflate or trailer to a new location
7. Regulated by the FAA under FAR 101 which is far less restrictive than Civilian UAV operations

Limitations of LTAS Systems
• Not able to “chase” subjects. These are tethered platforms.
• Susceptible to ground fire, the balloon and payload are not bullet-proof.
• Not operable in winds over 50mph.
• Not operable in temperatures below -10 degrees Fahrenheit and some systems not below freezing.

Typical Uses of Balloon Surveillance
System 50
• Emergency First Responder situational awareness
• Tactical squad incident response (hostage, terrorist, bomb)
• SWAT situational awareness
• First in the air, longest in the air, most valuable situational awareness asset in the air

System 100
• Public event surveillance and observation
◊ Fireworks shows
◊ Air shows
◊ Fairs and Festivals
◊ Rallies
◊ Demonstrations
◊ Major sports events
• Disaster Related
◊ Evacuation coordination
◊ Search and Rescue
◊ Emergency management on-demand network (FireTide node)
• Traffic Management

Systems 200 &300 - all the above, plus:
• Border Security
• Facility and Asset Protection
• Energy infrastructure
◊ Conventional power plants
◊ Nuclear power plants
◊ Oil refineries
◊ Tanks and storage
• Sea Ports
• Rail depots
• Embassy protection
• Force Protection
• COB and FOB
• Foreign-soil bases
• USA major installations
• Battlefield ISR