In a landmark move to modernize battlefield surveillance, the US Army has selected a diverse group of ten defense contractors to develop a new class of tethered surveillance balloons under the Persistent Surveillance System – Tethered (PSS-T) contract. Firms such as Raytheon and QinetiQ, joined by smaller innovators, will leverage their collective strengths to deliver persistent observation platforms designed to offer real-time data collection and threat monitoring.
The PSS-T program was first issued for bids in mid-2024 and seeks cost-plus-fixed-fee proposals leveraging industry ingenuity for extended ISR missions. The balloons, once developed and deployed, will provide a flexible, enduring vantage point over areas of interest, significantly enhancing US Army ISR capabilities in both peacetime and conflict.
The comprehensive 10-year partnership aims not only at technology development but also at fostering integration and rapid fielding, ensuring the Army remains ahead of adversaries in ISR domain effectiveness.
