An aerostat (from Ancient Greek ἀήρ (aḗr) 'air' and στατός (statós) 'standing', via French) or lighter-than-air aircraft is an aircraft that relies on buoyancy to maintain flight. Aerostats include unpowered balloons (free-flying or tethered) and powered airships.

Airships, balloons, and blimps generate buoyancy lift or aerostatic lift using an envelope filled with a less dense gas than air, such as helium, enabling them to fly freely and “float” without needing forward airspeed. Such aircraft have been collectively called “airships” or “aerostats.”

The Tethered Aerostat Radar System (TARS) [1] is an American low-level airborne ground surveillance system that uses aerostats (moored balloons) as radar platforms. Similar systems include the EL/M-2083 and JLENS.

TCOM’s Tactical Aerostat Platform is a compact, highly portable persistent surveillance solution designed to meet the tactical needs of operators on the battlefield.

2016年3月16日 · Given this wide variety of platforms and components, we summarize here the main issues and factors that distinguish various aerostat systems—a Summary of a Beginner’s Guide to the world of aerostats. For a longer version of this guide, with details on each component, please see below the main post.

Tethered aerostat systems can provide emergency responders with a cost-effective means of performing a variety of short- and long-term emergency management, homeland security, and law enforcement operations.

2021年10月13日 · A lighter-than-air aircraft, or aerostat, is a vehicle that achieves flight by creating buoyancy or lift by using lifting gas that is lighter than air. This method contrasts with a heavier-than-air aircraft, or aerodyne, which generates lift with the flow of air over an airfoil.

The Lockheed Martin 74K Aerostat System, with integrated multi-mission payloads and very high operational availability has supported the warfighter in many very challenging environments.

2022年3月2日 · An aerostat is an aircraft that generates lift by using a lifting gas to become lighter than air. Aerostats are named so because they utilize aerostatic lift, a buoyant force that does not require movement through surrounding air.

An aerostat provides persistence and never inconveniently passes over the horizon like a satellite does. Plus, its flight can be controlled more readily than that of an airship.