A SKYSTAR 330 tactical aerostat taking off. Source: RT Aerostats Systems.
On June 17, a tactical surveillance aerostat of the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) crashed in the northern part of the Palestinian Gaza Strip.
In a statement, the IDF denied that the aerostat was shot down by Palestinian factions. The army added that there is no fear of a major intelligence leak.
Palestinian activists shared footage showing the wreckage of the aerostat, which crashed near the city of Beit Hanoun. The aerostat was identified by experts as a SKYSTAR 330.
The SKYSTAR 300 was developed by Israel’s RT Aerostats Systems. It has an operating altitude of around 500 meters and an endurance of 72 hours. The tactical aerostat was designed to provide ISR&T [Intelligence, Surveillance, Reconnaissance and Targeting] and communications relay. The aerostat transmits the surveillance video and data outputs to a ground control station via a cable. However, it can be equipped with a radio frequency data-link.
The IDF has been using aerostats to keep an eye on Israel’s southern and northern fronts for years. These systems have proven to be efficient, effective and reliable.
In November, the IDF launched Sky Dew, a large aerostat that is equipped with an advanced missile and aircraft detection system, over the country’s northern region. The aerostat was developed in a joint venture between the Israeli Missile Defense Organization and the US Missile Defense Agency.
