Ten defense companies have been chosen by the US Army to compete for a $4.2 billion program to create a next-generation, lighter-than-air surveillance balloon.
The 10-year program, known as the Persistent Surveillance System – Tethered (PSS-T), has named Raytheon, QinetiQ, Skyship Services, Advanced Technology Systems, and Thunderbolt as members.
In addition to Tyonek Technical Services, Mission Solutions Group, Elevated Technologies, Leidos, and TCOM, they will each contribute unique expertise in aerostat design, integration, and mission support.
In the middle of 2024, the military first published a request for PSS-T, looking for industry solutions to improve continuous intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities in the face of shifting geopolitical challenges.
The cost-plus-fixed-fee contract received ten bids in all.
