Ukrainian innovator Aerobavovna is taking battlefield intelligence and electronic warfare to new heights, quite literally. The company has rolled out a new generation of aerostats capable of hoisting up to 30 kg of sophisticated equipment, a significant leap from their existing models.
Since 2023, Aerobavovna has been supplying Ukrainian Defense Forces with its foundational aerostat model, a nimble lifter with a 6 kg payload capacity. These units have become crucial battlefield assets, primarily deployed for extending radio communications and maintaining drone control over vast distances.
However, the evolving technological landscape and the need to deploy more complex, heavier systems demanded a more robust solution. Enter the new heavyweight contender: an aerostat designed to lift 25-30 kg. Crucially, unlike its lighter predecessor, this upgraded model boasts an integrated power system. This game-changing feature allows for the continuous, days-long operation of power-hungry systems high above the action.
“These are for operating at greater distances and with more powerful, power-hungry equipment”, Yuriy Vysoven, co-founder of Aerobavovna, explained in a report by Militarnyi. “We’re talking Electronic Warfare systems, Signals Intelligence (SIGINT) platforms, and very potent long-range repeaters”.
This enhanced capability does come with a trade-off. While the smaller model can be combat-ready from its inflated state in a mere 7 minutes, the larger platform requires approximately 30 minutes and a larger crew for deployment.
Vysoven emphasized the unique operational needs driving their design. “Many Western aerostats are used for elevating radars or cameras, which isn’t always the most pressing need on our front lines”, he noted. “This war has starkly illustrated the sheer volume of drones in modern conflicts. For most of them, repeaters are essential. So, beyond traditional radio relays, the biggest use case is for drone repeaters – for ground-based drones, aerial drones, and any platform needing robust low-altitude communication”.
Indeed, while multicopters can serve as temporary relays, their limited flight endurance often falls short. For sustained operations, particularly controlling ground robotic complexes for hours on end, aerostats present an almost indispensable solution.
Aerobavovna isn’t stopping there. The company is actively exploring other innovative payloads, including a previously reported concept for an aerostat-based carrier for interceptor drones, potentially simplifying the takedown of threats like Shahed-type UAVs. Collaboration is also key, with Aerobavovna actively partnering with other Ukrainian manufacturers to integrate diverse devices onto their aerial platforms.”We’re continuously evolving as a platform and integrating with various producers”, Vysoven added, noting that integration can range from simple plug-and-play to more complex, iterative development.
On the harsh realities of the battlefield, the primary causes of aerostat loss are reportedly friendly fire or severe weather – icing in winter, or breakaway due to strong winds in summer. However, the cost of a lost balloon is relatively modest (around $1000 for a small unit). Significantly, if punctured, the aerostat descends slowly, typically allowing for the recovery and reuse of its valuable payload.
Currently, Aerobavovna’s systems are being actively supplied to Ukraine’s Special Operations Forces, the Main Intelligence Directorate (GUR), and the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU). While noting some challenges with centralized military procurement, which has led to direct purchases by some brigades, the developers estimate that up to 50 of their aerostats could be concurrently operational at the front. Vysoven also acknowledged the significant role of the “Militarnyi” community, whose early fundraising efforts for an initial aerostat for Special Operations Forces provided crucial operational feedback, significantly influencing the company’s development trajectory.
This Ukrainian ingenuity highlights a critical trend: the adaptation and rapid innovation of accessible technologies to meet urgent, real-world battlefield demands, providing a persistent eye and communications link in the sky.
Source: MILITARNYI
