Bank, you said:
“I'm really hoping that the company is developing a smaller Argus hybrid .. Isn't there a real application in the battlefield for a mobile IED sensing, eye in the sky vehicle that could give a broader view due to it's increased elevation and obvious mobility over the BIB?”
The first mention of the Hybrid Argus we’re told:
05/09/12
“The Argus Hybrid is designed to be packaged in a standard size crate that fits in the back of a full size truck or HUMVEE and to be rapidly deployable within hours by a small crew. Once inflated and prepared for launch, the Argus Hybrid is designed to be released on a tether where it can ascend and stay on station providing 24/7 ISR via a sensor payload streaming data through fiber optics in the tether. The Argus Hybrid is designed to be virtually instantaneously transformed into an unmanned airship by remotely starting the engine and releasing the tether thereby allowing the Argus Hybrid to fly unattached capable of covering a range of hundreds of miles of terrain before returning home. During free flight, the Argus Hybrid and the sensor package are commanded via wireless capabilities and satellite communications. Upon returning back to the landing destination, the Argus Hybrid can be refueled and launched again as an aerostat awaiting the next opportunity to be released for free flight.”
Then it is mentioned within the BiB PR:
07/19/12
“In May 2012, the Company filed a provisional patent application for the Argus Hybrid aerostat based on the BIB technology. The BIB system is packaged in a standard size crate that is mounted to the back of a HUMVEE, pickup truck or other comparable vehicle and can be rapidly deployed within minutes by a one man crew. The system is deployed by the push of a button and is designed to be completely automated. Once the system is activated, the pre-packaged envelope, which carries a day/night electro-optical/infrared camera with laser capable payload, automatically inflates to the applicable pressure and is secured to the vehicle by a fiber optic tether.”
It would be amazing if the releasable Hybrid could also be “deployed at the push of a button and designed to be completely automated .. within minutes”. Who wouldn’t want that ; )
There was an article / talk of the benefits that these tethered aerostats provide. The BiB being pulled above a moving platoon to sensor for IED’s .. then refitted & redeployed while camped / stopped for the night .. with an IR camera system.
I imagine if the base-camp wasn’t going anywhere for a while ( days, weeks, months? ) then the larger Argus-Hybrid Releasable version would be perfect & desired
If @ the platoon level .. where they’re stopped for the night or maybe a couple days .. then I think like you do .. the BiB sized platform should be releasable too. If the platoon is on the move with the “regular” BiB system floating above .. how special it would be to have a second system with you .. one of the same size / push button deployable within a couple minutes .. but able to be released to follow whatever
“In my thought I have seen ring’s of smoke through the trees,
And the voices of those who stand looking.
Ooh, it makes me wonder,
Ooh, it really makes me wonder.”
“Stairway To Heaven”...Led Zeppelin IV
AI
