LTAS - Lighter Than Air Surveillance Systems
(Aerial Products is a certified Value-added Reseller)

LTAS 50 System Incident Response, Forestry, Traffic Management, Tactical Aerial Imagery LTAS 75-100 Systems Police, Sheriff, Crowd Management, Urban Security, Tactical Response Units LTAS 200 System Border Patrol, DHS, Border Security, Energy Facility Protection

Persistent Aerial Surveillance

The LTAS 75 and 100 systems are excellent systems for municipal deployments for crowd management, incident response and other heightened security situations where aerial surveillance provides situational awareness, a force multiplier, command and control and evidential video.

The LTAS 100 is the only FAA approved aerostat surveillance platform available in North America

Based on the Kingfisher^TM aerostat, the LTAS series of aerial surveillance systems are recognized as the most versatile and cost-effective balloon surveillance systems available. With persistence measured in days, the Kingfisher-based systems are widely deployed for situations that would require a fleet of helicopters or fixed-wing aircraft. Direct operating costs are as low as $15 dollars per hour based on a contiguous 3-day mission. Direct costs include Helium for initial inflation, replenishment, and fuel for a small generator (Honda 2000is).

When comparing to airborne alternatives such as manned aircraft, the operating and maintenance cost advantages of the LTAS systems are significant.

For critical missions, logistics and availability are more important than cost. With the LTAS surveillance systems there are few parts that force downtime and the primary consumable is Helium. We achieve high-availability rates by supplying critical spare parts and maintenance training for in-field replacement of the few single-components of failure in the system. This includes launcher related equipment; a 24vdc winch motor,
patch kits for the Kingfisher aerostat and primary power supply for the camera gimbal. 

Kingfisher LTAS system advantages;

• Lowest operating cost versus alternative aerial platforms
• The ability to stay on-station for prolonged periods
• High-availability rates for missions
• Minimal crew training and operation with 2-3 personnel

LTAS Systems range from the low cost LTAS 50 for forestry and traffic management to the very sophisticated, cooled thermal MWIR, gyro-stabilized, all-weather LTAS Systems model 200 for border security and strategic asset protection. If you have a persistent surveillance requirement that LTA can solve, we have the solution. For more information, please call: 888-973-5550 or email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

LTAS System Series Overview
LTAS 50 –  Wide area visual for situational awareness in a small package. System is vehicle hitch-mounted with unstabilized and stabilized camera gimbals.
LTAS 75-100 –  Gyro-stabilized, single and dual sensor gimbals. Self-contained launcher with optional host trailer.
LTAS 200 – Highly-stabilized dual sensor systems with uncooled (LWIR) and cooled thermal (MWIR) configurations. Long stand-off range with human detection at 3+ km. DHS, Military, Federal and State Agencies. Critical infrastructure protection, Combat Outposts (COP), border security. Self-contained launcher and extended Helium storage for high-altitude operations.

LTAS System Highlights The LTAS System series employ a unique combination of robust technology with field-tested operational methods.
All LTAS models offer mission benefits such as:

• Syndicated video to multiple observers, VIEWABLE WORLDWIDE
• Simultaneous digital IP and analog capability, NOC/MOBILE VIEWING
• Long mission duration, DAYS ON STATION
• Quick deployment, LESS THAN 30 MINUTES FOR LAUNCH
• Low Total Cost of Ownership, LOW OPERATING AND MAINTENANCE COSTS
• Modular system approach, AVOIDS TECHNOLOGY OBSOLESCENCE
• Camera gimbals are dual use, TELESCOPING MAST AND AEROSTAT
• Easy deployment, operation and recovery, LOW TRAINING REQUIREMENTS
• Remote system diagnostics and repair, MINIMUM SKILLS REQUIRED TO MAINTAIN
• Incredibly stable video image quality, LESS OPERATOR FATIGUE AND ERRORS
  
  

Benefits of LTAS Systems

• 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
• Very few mechanical parts
• Low fuel requirements (none if line-powered)
• Lower personnel expertise to operate (no pilot or flight engineer required)
• Less cost to insure and bond
• Longest duration and loiter time than any other type of platform
• Far easier and less costly to train and operate than UAVs, fixed wing or rotary wing aircraft
• Significantly less risk of public damage or civilian injury from a system failure
• Most environmentally friendly method of aerial surveillance
• Mobile in urban environments. Deflate or trailer to a new location
• 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 below 300 feet AGL, the balloon and payload are not bullet-proof.
• Not operable in winds over 50mph.
• Not operable in temperatures below -20 degrees Fahrenheit
  
  

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

Systems 75-100

• 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

System 200

• 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