BLUF
The experiments with high-altitude balloons for surveillance, communications and other space-like capabilities are growing. Diverse payloads and deployment concepts are being explored. Currently testing the balloons’ potential across Europe, the Pacific and the Middle East.Learning Outcomes
- Explain the strategic value of high-altitude balloons operating in the stratosphere and how they can provide space-like capabilities for military operations.
- Describe the potential military applications of stratospheric balloon systems, including intelligence, surveillance, communications, missile warning, and other payload-based missions.
- Analyse the U.S. Army’s evolving experimentation and deployment concepts for high-altitude balloons, including constellation approaches, expendable systems, and integration with multi-domain operations.
