Safety & Security International (S&SI)
I/2009
The New Speed - A Unique Payload for Tactical Balloons - A New Technological Development for Border Security
CONTROP Precision Technologies Ltd. announced the recent launch of the SPEED-A, a pitch, yaw and roll three-axis gyro-stabilized payload which was specifically developed for use on tactical aerostats (balloons). This state-of-the-art payload combines technolgoies for reducing weight for very long range observation applications. The payload includes a day and night camera as well as a laser range finder. The SPEED-A is already in field operational use for border security providing unsurpassed surveillance performance in Israel. The SPEED-A wa designed to answer the requirement for a stabilised high performance camera which can provided very long range observation on this most moving platform the tactical balloon. Due to the fact that the tactical balloon is relatively near to the ground (500 to 3000 feet), the frequent gusts of wind and vast amount of movementof the balloon, require a stabilised payload that can provide a high performance stabilised picture, by day and by night, at a great distance. Taking into account the rolling movement of the tactical balloon, while it is tethered to the ground, a three-axis gyro-stabilised payload was required which considers all three sorts of movement of the balloon: Pitch, yaw and also roll. In addition, the payload was designed to be very low weight due to the weight limitations of the balloon. This allows transporting the balloon and the payload with great ease, and getting it airborne very fast. Furthermore, the SPEED-A provides the required target geolocation, so that the necessary information is precise and immediate. CONTROP is known worldwide for the unique continuous zoom of the thermal imaging camera, which is an important feature in the new SPEED-A payload as well.
Controp's NEW Speed-A payload on aerostat for border control and other surveillance and observation applications. | 
