Ten companies, including Leidos, QinetiQ, and TCOM, will compete for task orders under the US Army’s Program Executive Office for Intelligence, Electronic Warfare, and Sensors (PEO IEW&S)
The US Army has awarded a contract worth up to USD 4.2 billion to develop and deploy advanced aerostat-tethered airships aimed at strengthening its intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities. The move comes amid growing concerns about strategic threats and gaps in aerial monitoring, particularly following the 2023 Chinese spy balloon incident.
Known as Persistent Surveillance Systems–Tethered (PSS-T), these airships are designed to operate at altitudes up to 15,000 feet and remain airborne for long periods. Equipped with sophisticated sensors, they will provide real-time surveillance over wide geographical areas, enabling continuous monitoring for both military and homeland security applications.
Ten companies, including Leidos, QinetiQ, and TCOM, will compete for task orders under the US Army’s Program Executive Office for Intelligence, Electronic Warfare, and Sensors (PEO IEW&S). The agreement also allows for foreign military sales, and Poland has already committed USD 1 billion in 2024 to acquire these surveillance systems — a clear indication of the growing international interest in aerostat-based technologies.
Aerostats are not new to military operations. In previous conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan, they were deployed to relay communications, jam enemy signals, and monitor ground movement. However, their role is now evolving in response to modern threats from countries like China and Russia. The renewed emphasis follows the 2023 breach of US airspace by a Chinese high-altitude balloon, which exposed significant vulnerabilities in near-space surveillance.
“These balloons have supported surveillance missions for years,” said Brandon Pollachek, spokesperson for PEO IEW&S. “What we’re doing now is modernising that capability to meet today’s challenges — from detecting stealth aircraft to supporting cyber operations.”
Pollachek explained that while the Chinese balloon incident was not the origin of the Army’s aerostat programme, it served as a catalyst for accelerating improvements in this space. Aerostats offer a cost-effective and lower-maintenance alternative to satellites or high-end drones, making them a practical solution for extended observation missions in contested or remote environments.
The US Army views these systems as essential tools for filling what it calls the “near-space” gap — the airspace between where traditional aircraft operate and where satellites orbit. This zone has emerged as a critical blind spot in the surveillance ecosystem, particularly after it was exploited in the 2023 incident.
As the military adapts to evolving threats and tightens its focus on airspace security, the PSS-T programme signals a shift in strategy — one that combines proven platforms with next-generation technology to safeguard national interests.
