UK trials high-altitude surveillance balloons in push to boost defence capabilities

The United Kingdom has successfully tested uncrewed high-altitude balloons capable of delivering long-endurance intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) missions, in a move that could reshape future defence and communication operations.

Flying at altitudes between 60,000 and 80,000 feet—twice the cruising height of commercial airliners—the balloons offer a low-cost alternative to traditional military aircraft and satellites. Operated as a constellation for the first time, the test vehicles provided near-continuous ISR coverage for almost a month, despite each individual balloon being capable of operating for just over five days, Caliber.Az reports, citing UK government. 

“This innovation is about giving our Armed Forces the edge—better awareness, better communications, and lower maintenance needs,” said UK Minister for Defence Procurement and Industry, Rt Hon Maria Eagle MP. “Stratospheric technology like this could transform how we operate in complex environments, keeping our people safer and better informed than ever before.”

The test flights, part of Project AETHER, took place earlier this year in South Dakota, USA, and were conducted by UK defence firm Voltitude, in collaboration with Landguard Systems (UK) and Aerostar (US). The trials are part of the UK Ministry of Defence’s wider effort to explore next-generation stratospheric technologies under its Plan for Change agenda.

With a modest ISR payload capacity of up to 3 kilograms—comparable to the weight of a small bird—these balloons can be deployed and operated by a single person, even in harsh weather conditions. Equipped with weather sensors and other modules, they also have potential applications in disaster relief, weather forecasting, and climate research.

“The UK-developed technology provides continuous ISR capability whilst maintaining remarkably low operating costs,” said James Gavin, Head of UK Defence Innovation’s Prove and Exploit team. “These latest trials have been incredibly fruitful and pave the way for more collaborative working with our allies to develop capabilities that will benefit our Armed Forces.”

According to the Ministry of Defence, future plans include testing larger balloon vehicles capable of carrying significantly higher payloads with mission durations ranging from six to twelve months.

By Sabina Mammadli