Two Russian organizations are teaming up to develop a stratospheric balloon designed to support military intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) operations.
The state-owned Dolgoprudny Design Bureau of Automation has signed an agreement with Bauman Moscow State Technical University to create a new ISR platform capable of reaching up to 32 miles (50 kilometers) above Earth’s surface.
The balloon will incorporate an automated pneumatic balancing system to regulate internal pressure, ensuring stability despite changes in external temperature.
With a volume capacity of up to 5,000 cubic meters (176,573 cubic feet), it can reportedly remain airborne for extended periods.
Once operational, the balloon is expected to provide the Russian military with a tactical edge in intelligence gathering and communications in challenging environments.
A Growing Trend?
The use of spy balloons is becoming an increasingly popular strategy for certain nations as the battlespace becomes more contested.
China has emerged as a prominent user of high-altitude balloons, with one reportedly infiltrating US airspace in 2023 to gather sensitive data.
Another Chinese balloon was recently detected near Taiwan in an incident seen as part of ongoing military pressure on the island nation.
To rival Beijing, the US Army announced plans in December 2023 to launch a program aimed at developing its own high-altitude balloon capabilities by 2025.