A persistent surveillance stratospheric airship is being studied by the South African government’s Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) with the aim of improving the nation’s maritime monitoring. The country’s coastline could be covered by seven airships carrying radars with a 600km (325nm) range.
Subject of a R5 million ($807,000) study, the maritime surveillance airship could be a 160m (525ft)-long vehicle generating more than 2kW in electrical power for a 2t sensor, communications and propulsion payload capable of operating from a week to a month.
After examining European and US projects for high-altitude, long-endurance surveillance airships, CSIR has identified common emerging technologies ranging from fuel cells through electric propulsion to solar cells. The Phase 1 study began in September and its airship technology findings will be presented in July.
“[For Phase 2] the intention is to go ahead on a much bigger scale,” says CSIR airship researcher and radar and electronic warfare fellow Francois Anderson.
The government wants to use airships for tackling crime as well as for defence.
For exclusive news and expert analysis every week subscribe to Flight International print edition. Included with your subscription are 4 FREE issues and FREE delivery to your home or office.
Flight acknowledges that 2009 will be challenging but now more than ever we can help you identify opportunities and solutions for you to get your key messages to the audience that matters to you. Download The Marketing Leadership Council’s ‘Justifying Marketing Expenditures in a Down Economy’ report for free.