A stratospheric balloon could become a high-altitude drone carrier, capable of loitering for weeks and launching solar-powered UAVs

Stratospheric balloons are increasingly being explored as potential carriers for high-altitude drones, according to military developers. The Lightning balloon, developed by Aerostar, has demonstrated the successful release of a solar-powered Apollo-R drone during a recent test. The Apollo-R, capable of reaching altitudes near 60,000 feet and remaining airborne for weeks, is designed to be recoverable and reflyable.

Aerostar's Thunderhead balloon, with its extended endurance of up to 60 days and payload capacity of up to 200 pounds, is also being considered for drone deployment. These balloons offer significant advantages over traditional aircraft, such as the Global Hawk or Reaper, in terms of cost and survivability. While they are vulnerable to high-altitude winds, causing them to drift, they can be deployed in large numbers to create resilient sensing networks.

Both the U.S. Army and other military branches are pursuing balloon-based systems for various missions, including persistent sensor networks and swarming capabilities.