World Surveillance Group Inc (fka WSGI)

[Mt bigsky]

From another article;
Sky Snake UAV Set
To Make U.S. Debut
Topping the list as the most unique unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) is the
STS-111 SkySat from Fort Lauderdale, Fla.-based Sanswire. The 126-foot-long,
lighter-than-air UAV designed for intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance
(ISR) missions at altitudes between 30,000 feet and 45,000 feet features a proprietary
teardrop design that incorporates five independent gas cells housed in a
specialized envelope of rip-top nylon.
The STS-111, a joint development between Sanswire and TAO technologies
GmbH, Stuttgart, Germany, can fly almost 40 mph and can stay aloft for three
days. Sanswire claims the UAV’s flight duration exceeds anything on the market
because of its design. The company says it costs about $3 million to purchase one
and about $50 an hour to operate, compared with a Predator that costs between
$12 million and $18 million and around $2,000 or more an hour to operate.
The STS-111’s snake-like flexible design lets it handle cross winds in a way
that it bleeds off the energy of wind gusts, enabling the craft to stay on course
better—or in the case of persistent loitering for
military or border patrol applications, hold its
place more efficiently than other lighter-than-air
vehicles. The first STS-111 arrived in the United
States from Germany in June 2010 and is being
fitted with ISR sensors
and related equipment by
Easton, Md., engineering
firm Eastcor, a DoD-qualified
prime contractor,
after which the company
says it will be ready to
demonstrate the UAV’s
capabilities to potential
customers