A US Army general says he had a change of heart about high-flying balloons after seeing them in action
The US Army is exploring new uses for high-altitude balloons that can carry surveillance and communications equipment far above the battlefield.
Lt. Gen. John Rafferty, commander of Army Space and Missile Defense Command, expressed a shift in his perspective on high-altitude balloons after observing their performance during a training exercise. Initially skeptical, Rafferty now strongly advocates for their use in surveillance and communication missions. The US Army is increasingly investing in these balloons, which operate between 60,000 and 100,000 feet in the stratosphere, providing capabilities similar to space satellites but at a lower cost.
Army officials plan to conduct multiple experiments with different stratospheric systems over the next year, building on previous tests in Europe and the Pacific. These balloons can maneuver using varying wind currents, positioning themselves over areas of interest without the need for constant satellite orbits. Army officials believe these systems will offer persistent coverage over large areas, supplementing satellite and conventional aircraft capabilities.
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