Turkish Undersecretariat for Defence Industries (SSM) is going to issue a tender for a new RTA system for use in reconnaissance, surveillance, targeting and communication relay duties. This time, SSM will supply cable-guided aerostat system.
It is planned that the Turkish Armed Forces will gain additional command, control, discovery, surveillance and intelligence capabilities and gain the ability to create a line of sight for radio and similar transactions with the tender for which foreign companies are not allowed to participate.
Some countries such as USA, UK and Germany currently use these systems. The aerostat is connected to ground with a security system, which also provides power and communication to the aerostat. Filled with helium gas, the aerostat is placed at an altitude of four to 10 kilometers depending on the systems. The gas used in these aerostats is not flammable, and a bullet hole does not cause the aerostat to fall. As the gas in the aerostat isn't under pressure, the gas output would be at its lowest level incase of any tear.
211216-N-QI061-1222 NAVAL STATION MAYPORT, Fla. (December 16, 2021) An MQ-4C Triton Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS), assigned to Unmanned Patrol Squadron 19 (VUP-19), sits on the flight line at Naval Station Mayport, Florida, Dec. 16, 2021. VUP-19, the Navy’s first Triton squadron, will continue to maintain and operate the aircraft off the East Coast to further develop the concept of operations and refine tactics, techniques, and procedures. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Nathan T. Beard/ Released)