Carolina Unmanned Vehicles Inc.
Expeditionary Aerostat System
providing wide area (60 miles) persistent C3, EW, surveillance in a mobile configuration, with low manpower, logistics and C-130 transportabilty
Why it mattersCarolina Unmanned Vehicles (CUV) is a small woman-owned company focused on a family of small mobile tethered blimps, the Expeditionary Aerostat System (EAS). The family consists of Small Tactical Multi-Payload Aerostat System (STMPAS) single HMMWV Trailer mounted aerostat, STMPAS-Dual using two trailers for larger aerostats, the ISO Container Aerostat System for the largest payloads. All use a Lifting Aerostat allowing small units to operate in high winds. EAS can carry Beyond Line of Sight (BLOS) communications relays, EO/IR payloads for very long term surveillance and COMINT / SIGINT payloads. The larger versions can lift advanced radars for long range targeting for anti-ship missiles and for cruise missile air defense. All operate 24/7 for weeks with small crews and minimum logistics support. Customers include the Army, USAF, Lockheed and Sandia Lab. STMPAS was deployed to Afghanistan to provide EO/IR surveillance for small tactical units. Non-military applications include law enforcement, border security and research. CUV is also involved with kinetic counter-UAS systems with partner companies.
About
Problem
In peer conflict Forward deployed units require low cost, survivable, and mobile systems for 24/7 wide area Surveillance, C3, Electronic Warfare, and Counter-UAS capability.
Solution
CUVs Expeditionary Aerostat System uses the a tethered blimp combining helium and wind lift. Small sizes operate in high wind, allowing small mobile systems. EAS aerostats are mobile, air transportable, minimum manpower and low cost. It has lower air transport, logistics and manpower requirements than aircraft, or UAS. Coverage has Line of Sight to 100 kilometers
Field Validation
Early iteration deployed to small Forward Operating Bases in Afghanistan Technology Maturity (TRL): TRL 9. Live deployment.
Strategic Advantage
Mature design developed over 15 plus years.
Go-to-Market
Developed under SBIR, followed by Army Rapid Equipping Force contracts, and contracts from Lockheed and others. Currently marketing to Army C5ISR Center, NATO allies.
Dual-Use Potential
Homeland security border control, remote area security (mines, refinery, etc.) Post disaster communication
Team
Project manager, Mike Rogers, retired USAF LTC. Over 50 years R and and development experience.
Primary User
Army Brigade and above for distributed Command Posts being developed. Missions for C3, electronic warfare, intelligence collection, surveillance.
Problem
providing wide area (60 miles) persistent C3, EW, surveillance in a mobile configuration, with low manpower, logistics and C-130 transportabilty