Aerostat Autopilot™
Taking human error out of the equation
Aerostat Autopilot is at the heart of every Altaeros aerostat
Multiple levels of advanced autonomy and intelligent control
drives unparalleled mission availability and performance
Automated Dispatch Control
Intelligent decision engine guides the system to fly in accordance with mission objectives, system diagnostics, and weather constraints
AI Flight Director
Manages crewless operations,
including launch and recovery,
through real-time, closed loop
control of full aerostat system
Actuator Control
Individual, low-level controllers keep all actuators and sub-systems in sync and working at peak performance
DISRUPTING DECADES OF STATUS QUO
TRADITIONAL AEROSTAT
High Touch Manual Operation Drives Cost and Downtime
–Four to ten trained personnel for 24/7 operations
-Highly variable, mission availability is impacted by operators
–On-site monitoring and decision making only
–Large crew drives up to 80% of total cost
-Inconsistent operational efficiency varies shift to shift
AUTONOMOUS AEROSTAT
No Day-to-Day Crew, Simpler Logistics, Greater Uptime
–Zero on-site crew to maintain daily flight operations
-Real-time automated decision-making maximizes mission availability
–Remote monitoring and control increases mission flexibility
-Automation reduces costs by up to 70%
-Aerostat Autopilot introduces operational consistency over time and
across the fleet
TRADITIONAL AEROSTAT
High Touch Manual Operation Drives Cost and Downtime
–Four to ten trained personnel for 24/7 operations
-Highly variable, mission availability is impacted by operators
–On-site monitoring and decision making only
–Large crew drives up to 80% of total cost
-Inconsistent operational efficiency varies shift to shift
AUTONOMOUS AEROSTAT
No Day-to-Day Crew, Simpler Logistics, Greater Uptime
–Zero on-site crew to maintain daily flight operations
-Real-time automated decision-making maximizes mission availability
–Remote monitoring and control increases mission flexibility
-Automation reduces costs by up to 70%
-Aerostat Autopilot introduces operational consistency over time and
across the fleet
Anatomy of an Autonomous Aerostat
Aerostats are lighter-than-air platforms that use helium to create buoyant lift. Unlike the more familiar blimp, aerostats are attached to the ground with one or more tethers. Altaeros aerostats are attached with 3 tethers that increase safety, stability, and adds redundancy to greatly reduce the risk of a breakaway.
Aerostat Autopilot: Any Size, Any Scale
Aerostat Autopilot comes included on all Altaeros aerostats no matter their size.
Our signature three-tether system allows us to maintain command and control of every aerostat. Altaeros has over a decade of autonomous aerostat experience and have implemented the autonomous control system on a multitude of differently sized and shaped aerostats. Need a specific feature? Talk to us about a custom aerostat design.
Autonomous Aerostat Safety
Keeping Operators Out of Harm’s Way
Autonomous aerostats eliminate the need for dangerous line handling, winch operation, nose cone capture, and other activities that have a high risk of injury typically associated with traditional aerostats.
Advanced System Intelligence
The airborne and ground equipment are highly instrumented and provide real time fault detection and diagnostics to give operators the tools and intelligence they need to safely and efficiently keep their aerostats up and running.
Airspace Operations
Automated flashing beacons on the hull to comply with airspace regulations. Additional tether beacons, flags, and other markings can be added to meet local airspace regulations.
Autonomy Spotlight: Jason Sorinmade
Meet Jason Sorinmade, Altaeros’ Director of Flights. Jason has been operating aerostats for over ten years – before coming to Altaeros, he piloted aerostats overseas in Afghanistan and state-side at the border. He has extensive experience operating aerostats in many different climates and conditions. This practical knowledge gives him a unique perspective on the advantages of autonomy. Jason sat down with us to discuss the similarities and differences between traditional aerostats vs. Altaeros’ autonomous aerostats and what that means for operators. He also gives a tour of our latest product: ST-Flex!
Learn How Autonomous Aerostats Can Help You Accomplish Your Mission
Aerostats excel in a wide range of missions due to their ability to lift heavy payloads for long durations.