The LAS Model 11M3 and 24M3 consists of an 11 or 24 cubic meter Helikite aerostat and an wheeled dolly Carrier, and several types of payloads (Fig. 1). The Carrier contains all the equipment to deploy and operate the system for up to a month, except electrical power. It is suitable for payloads up to 5 or 9 kilograms for the 11M3 or 24M3 Helikites, respectively.

LAS Operational Benefits The patented Helikite combines helium and wind lift so even very small sizes operate easily in high wind, allowing LAS to be a fraction of the cost and manpower of traditional lighter-than-air designs. The LAS blimp can be flown at several hundred to thousand feet altitude to provide coverage 24 hours a day for a week or more without maintenance or downtime. LAS is very mobile and cost-effective through use of unique designs to reduce the need for ground crews to handle the blimp during launch and recovery. It is carried by a single dolly and operated by a two person crew.

Compared to towers, UAS and aircraft LAS has significant operational advantages for mobile surveillance and communications relay. It covers a far larger area than tower based cameras, and has reduced blind spots due to obstacles in the field of view. Operating and maintenance cost is a fraction of the cost of using aircraft or UAS to lift surveillance or relay payloads. It does not require the complicated flight clearances needed for UAS deconfliction with manned aircraft.

Coverage Surveillance and communications relay payload versions at up to 500 feet can cover a 24 NM radius, depending upon terrain. Surveillance coverage is dependent more upon sensor resolution than upon Line of Sight. Intelligence collection and other payloads can be carried.

Major Components
LAS consists of several unique components that, taken together, comprise a system far smaller and more versatile than any comparable unit. Each component emphasizes the strengths of the others to produce a small, highly mobile capability unequalled by other aerostat systems. LAS Models 11M3 or 24M3 consists of three major components or subsystems: Helikite / Helirest, Carrier, and Payloads.

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