PRESS RELEASE: Altaeros ST-Flex Receives ATTLA Certification for Shipping Via US Military Air Transport
Altaeros’ ST-Flex is a rapidly deployable autonomous aerostat, it can be packed into two towable trailers and set up in less than a day.
SOMERVILLE, MASSACHUSETTS (JULY 21, 2023): , Altaeros’ ST-Flex, an autonomous aerostat platform, officially received Military Air transport certification/approval from the Air Transportability Test Loading Activity (ATTLA) which supports the US Air Force Life Cycle Management Center’s, Engineering Directorate, Crew Systems Branch. Learn more about ST-Flex: www.altaeros.com
Working in conjunction with this diverse team of engineers who ensure airlifted cargo is properly and safely set up for transport, the Altaeros team successfully made all required modifications to support overseas transport of the ST-Flex system. ST-Flex is now accredited to be packed into two towable trailers for easy transport. Altaeros’ engineers worked closely with ATTLA to ensure all components were fit for flight and could be secured on a variety of aircraft, including C-130, C-17, and C-5 transports. This certification allows the ST-Flex to be quickly moved and deployed around the world to meet a variety of mission scenarios.
Jeff Lloyd-Jones, President of Altaeros, noted, “This major accomplishment was a total team effort between the US Army, US Air Force, and the Altaeros Teams. The ability to relocate the ST-Flex aerostat system anywhere in the world, on short notice, is a force multiplier for the warfighter requiring persistent ISR for days/weeks in the most austere areas. Altaeros is proud to support both the government and commercial sectors with platforms that connect people, machines, and data.”
ST-Flex carries up to 130+ lbs (60 kg) of payload for weeks at a time, at heights up to 1,000 feet (305 m) above ground. Power and fiber optic cables embedded in the tethers provide robust power and connectivity between the payload and ground equipment. Aerostat Autopilot™, Altaeros’ proprietary autonomous control system, eliminates on-site crew for daily operations and ensures the highest level of reliability, making ST-Flex the most cost-effective aerostat solution in its class. The autonomous features provide a level of performance and flexibility unparalleled amongst commercial unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs).
About Altaeros: Altaeros’ mission is to connect people, machines, and data, no matter where they happen to be located. We leverage cutting-edge autonomy and advanced aerospace technology to build the most effective aerial platform available. Our SuperTowers are used to deliver high-speed, low-cost broadband to underserved communities, build IoT networks to monitor industrial sites or crop health, provide an elevated vantage point for first responders fighting wildfires or other natural disasters, and any number of other applications. Altaeros is headquartered in Somerville Massachusetts, with production and test facilities in Fremont, New Hampshire. Altaeros is backed by SoftBank Group, SPARX, SKK, Safar Partners, and others.
Learn more at www.altaeros.com
Press Contact:
Elise Gianattasio