International Border Security Report Features TCOM on Smarter Border Security Enabled by Persistent Airborne Surveillance Aerostats

December 15, 2020/in News /by gal

Border Security Report, a respected international defense publication, has published today a feature article about how “Persistent Airborne Surveillance Aerostats enable smarter Border Security.” According to the article, increasing geopolitical tensions in global geo-conflict border security zones, from the South China Sea to the Iran-Saudi Arabia conflict and the Russia-Ukraine and former Eastern Europe NATO allies have made the need for reliable and cost-effective persistent airborne surveillance imperative for effective C5ISR’s doctrine for military and law enforcement decision-makers. As they seek to monitor, identify, and prepare to respond when a real or perceived threat becomes imminent to their strategic interests.

Most critically, effective persistent airborne surveillance must operate in multiple environments. Border security can mean protecting critical infrastructures, maritime ports, entire maritime areas against missiles, and in the air. Adding to that complexity is the presence of largely populated areas in multiple countries proximate to the conflict zone, making it challenging to select one tool or method to create a compelling operational ‘Common Operating Picture’ for defense and border security decision-makers.vRead more at https://border-security-report.com/smarter-border-security-enabled-by-persistent-airborne-surveillance-aerostats/

Border Security Report as a bi-monthly publication and the premier international border management industry magazine delivering agency and industry news and developments and more in-depth features and analysis to over 34,000 border agencies, agencies at the borders, and industry professionals, policymakers, and practitioners, worldwide. Read more at https://border-security-report.com/

TCOM Wins 2020 Platinum Award as Best Persistent Aerial Surveillance and Monitoring Solution at the Astors’ Homeland Security Awards Competition

December 8, 2020/in News /by gal

TCOM, LP, is pleased to announce today it has won the 2020 Platinum Award for Best Persistent Aerial Surveillance and Monitoring Solution in 2020 in the Astors’ Homeland Security Awards Competition, held by American Security Today magazine. According to the award committee, TCOM’s lighter-than-air Best Persistent Aerial Monitoring Aerostats are providing the U.S. Homeland Security and U.S. Army communities with the most cost-effective aerial persistent surveillance solutions with the promise of integration of new ISR sensors that can watch borders, maritime, and other scenarios efficiently and with cutting-edge innovation.

Persistent surveillance aerial aerostats remain in critical military demand, particularly at a tactical level as part of all of the above doctrines of Intelligence, Surveillance & Reconnaissance (ISR). For example, in late September 2019, the US Department of Defense awarded a $979 million contract to TCOM – to perform work on the Persistent Surveillance Systems – Tethered (PSS-T) program, a range of medium and large tactical aerostats that provide ISR, force protection and communications capabilities to a range of users. The PSS-T aerostat fleet provides a flexible and affordable capability comprising medium and large-size aerostats to provide persistent, integrated, networked, and multi-sensor information collection via long periods of operation altitude that maximizes lines of sight and field of regard on onboard systems. TCOM’s systems support requirements for Homeland Security on the U.S. southwestern border, as well as in Afghanistan, Iraq, and the Horn of Africa, providing persistent surveillance, force protection, and ISR missions, as well as communications extensions. The platforms’ primary advantage is their ability to provide extended time on mission and at an advantageous cost, with aerostats providing great flexibility for operating multiple capabilities simultaneously. Of special notice, TCOM, LP was also recognized as the top solution for persistent surveillance ISR for homeland security in 2019, 2018, and 2017 ‘ASTORS’ Homeland Security Awards Programs.

Headquarters

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Manufacturing

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Manufacturing and Flight Test Facility

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TCOM offers the world’s largest selection of proven aerostat solutions that counter the tactical, operational and strategic threats faced by our customer-nations.

End-to-end systems engineered for any environment.

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We provide our customers with innovation, responsiveness and best value by leveraging our advanced technology, skilled workforce and over 40 years of proven experience.

TCOM advancements continue to define the industry.

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TCOM is the proven global leader for innovative, cost-effective Airborne Persistent Surveillance solutions protecting national security in the world’s most demanding operational environments.

TCOM aerostat systems are Soldiers of the Skies.

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Expanding airborne persistent surveillance horizons efficiently and economically, TCOM systems detect potential threats by air, over land, and by sea, providing actionable intelligence in a timely manner.

TCOM makes persistent surveillance affordable.

Airships

July 31, 2013/0 Comments/by gal

Airship Gallery

View images of TCOM Airships. TCOM is the global leader in aerostat persistent surveillance solutions, providing total domain awareness over air, land and sea. TCOM systems provide affordable and economical persistent surveillance for military, defense, law-enforcement, border security and communications applications..

Sea Based Aerostats

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Sea Based Aerostat Gallery

View images of TCOM Sea Based Aerostats. TCOM is the global leader in aerostat persistent surveillance solutions, providing total domain awareness over air, land and sea. TCOM systems provide affordable and economical persistent surveillance for military, defense, law-enforcement, border security and communications applications.

74M Aerostats

November 13, 2012/0 Comments/by gal

74M Aerostat Gallery

View images of TCOM 74M aerostat systems. TCOM is the global leader in aerostat persistent surveillance solutions, providing total domain awareness over air, land and sea. TCOM systems provide affordable and economical persistent surveillance for military, defense, law-enforcement, border security and communications applications.

71M Aerostats

August 10, 2012/0 Comments/by gal

71M Aerostat Gallery

View images of TCOM 71M aerostat systems. TCOM is the global leader in aerostat persistent surveillance solutions, providing total domain awareness over air, land and sea. TCOM systems provide affordable and economical persistent surveillance for military, defense, law-enforcement, border security and communications applications.

Platforms

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Platforms

KEY DETAILS

Designed to meet mission objectives in any domain

Customized for air, land and sea surveillance applications

Affordable, reliable persistent surveillance solutions

Tactical, Operational and Strategic Solutions Designed to Meet Any Mission

Maintaining continuous aerial security is a daunting task. Threats such as low-flying, extremely fast aircraft can take advantage of the earth’s curvature and exploit terrain obstructions. This renders ground-based radars unable to provide target information in time to take appropriate action. Slow, low flying missiles with a small cross section may also avoid early detection and pose a significant threat. Manned aerial surveillance can decrease the risk for short periods of heightened alert, but the operational costs are much too high for extended use. To meet this airborne coverage challenge effectively and inexpensively, TCOM developed the 71M Low Altitude Surveillance System. With over 1,000,000 hours of operation these systems are the only operational airborne defense assets to routinely provide the continuous round-the-clock, low altitude target detection information needed to secure the skies.

TCOM Aerostat Classes

Case Study: RAID

July 10, 2012/0 Comments/by gal

TCOM Provides Tethered Aerostat Persistent Surveillance Solutions to RAID Program in Iraq and Afghanistan

Case Study Facts:

U.S. Forces in Iraq lacked effective perimeter surveillance for forward operating bases
Troops at high risk of enemy attack
U.S. Military deployed RAID program
TCOM 17M tactical aerostats deployed in bases throughout Iraq

Larger TCOM Aerostat systems deployed in Afghanistan to relay surveillance and communications information rapidly and reliably
TCOM aerostat persistent surveillance systems save lives

The Challenge

Under the darkness of night in Iraq and out of range of ground-based sentries, enemy fighters were able to creep in undetected toward forward operating bases (FOB) and posts where U.S. forces were deployed. Intent on launching mortar attacks or implanting explosive devices designed to disrupt operations and kill U.S. soldiers, they posed a deadly and pervasive threat. The U.S. military needed a reliable surveillance system that could foresee impending danger and give military commanders the actionable intelligence needed to prevent and intercept attacks.

The Solution

To counter this threat, the U.S. military turned to trusted partner TCOM to provide tethered aerostat systems that delivered persistent surveillance and communications needed to detect and neutralize the attackers before they could carry out their missions. The first use of tethered aerostats in this application came under the innovative RAID (Rapid Aerostat Initial Deployment) program. RAID made use of the TCOM 17M tactical aerostat to carry electro/optical and infrared payloads to gather intelligence around the clock and communications payloads to provide accurate surveillance information in real time.

RAID utilized EO/IR sensors, radar and flash and acoustic gunshot detectors to provide persistent, panoramic surveillance of the covered areas, providing timely warning of potential threats and other valued intelligence. Combined with the surveillance towers (G-BOSS), the aerostat systems provided essential situational awareness necessary for improved security and daily operations in and around the FOB.

The Result

The RAID program was so successful that many more 17M tactical aerostats were soon pressed into action across forward operating bases throughout Iraq. Since its initial deployment in 2003, over 60 aerostat systems and more than 300 RAID systems have been deployed as part of the Persistent Surveillance and Dissemination Systems (PSDS2) currently in use in Iraq and Afghanistan. This program has been credited with saving many lives and has also led to the development of the TCOM  22M and 28M operational aerostat systems for use in Iraq and Afghanistan where challenging operational environments required larger platforms. Most importantly, RAID established the value of the tethered aerostats to support U.S. Military on the battlefield and has led to the unprecedented use of aerostats in to support and enhance U.S. military operations worldwide.

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Case Study: Italy

July 10, 2012/0 Comments/by gal

TCOM Persistent Sea Surveillance System Improves Maritime Security in Italy

Case Study Facts:

Italian Officials faced challenge from smugglers and illegal immigrants during Bosnian conflict
Small, fast-moving vessels difficult to detect by conventional methods
Navy cutter patrols were extremely costly and inefficient
TCOM SAACS persistent aerostat surveillance system provided total domain awareness

Italian officials were able to monitor, track and intercept smugglers
Italian law enforcement effectively curtailed incidences of illegal immigration
Authorities obtained the actionable intelligence needed to ensure coastal security

The Challenge

During the Bosnian Conflict, Italian Security Forces were faced with the problem of stopping the flow of illegal immigrants and contraband that was frequently being smuggled from the Balkans, across the Otranto Strait, then inland from the Italian coast. Smugglers used compact, quick moving small boats and rafts. The use of Italian Navy ships to patrol the straits and detect and apprehend these smugglers was far too costly and inefficient.

The Solution

Italy turned to TCOM, a global leader in aerostat-borne surveillance solutions, to deliver an affordable, persistent sea surveillance system that would provide comprehensive monitoring of the Otranto Strait and Italian coastline. The system, identified as SAACS (South Adriatic Aerostat Coastal Surveillance System), used a TCOM medium-sized aerostat configured with a multi-mode search radar, a stabilized day/night camera suite and a V/UHF transceiver. The radar provided the early long-range detection and tracking of the small targets and cued the camera to provide timely actionable intelligence which was transmitted to remotely-located Navy command and control centers, and to Navy Patrol Ships nearby.

The Result

TCOM’s SAACS provided total domain awareness, which enabled Italian Government law enforcement officials to be waiting on shore to apprehend the immigrants as they waded in from the small vessels. The aerostat-borne persistent sea surveillance system also provided the Italian Navy with the information that allowed them to efficiently apprehend the smugglers on their return trip to the Balkans. This challenging mission was accomplished for a fraction of the cost of naval operations, or manned airborne surveillance. TCOM’s affordable persistent sea surveillance system became a critical component to Italian maritime defense. Today, TCOM mid-size aerostat systems continue to provide affordable round-the-clock coastal protection in trouble spots worldwide.

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Turnkey Installation

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Support from Start to Finish

TCOM provides single point responsibility for the overall system performance and continuing aerostat support essential for the reliable and consistent performance of the Aerostat Surveillance System.

After the system has successfully completed all its formal testing at our Manufacturing and Flight Test Facility, it is shipped to the customer. TCOM’s Field Operations & Support (FOS) group, supported by TCOM’s headquarters design and systems engineering groups, provides the in-country expertise for on-site installation, on-the-job training and integration into existing networks.

The Turnkey Installation Solution Includes:

Site survey, design and construction
Installation of the aerostat subsystems that make up the aerostat system
Integration of the aerostat system with the site infrastructure
Payloads integration including providing connectivity with the customer’s command centers and data/communications network
On-site formal classroom training and/or on-the-job-training (OJT)
O&M support as required
Logistics support to integrate spares and support equipment into a tracking database

Experienced Personnel Ensure Success

TCOM FOS pools of field engineers have trained and experienced personnel with the skillsets to supply a turnkey aerostat support solution from installation and checkout (I&CO) of the system to when the system is handed over to the customer for operation and maintenance (O&M). TCOM has installed aerostat systems in more countries than any other aerostat system manufacturer.

Manufacturing

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Advanced Aerostat Manufacturing Facilities

TCOM produces the most advanced, state-of-the-art and reliable aerostat systems in the world. This is accomplished by having the latest aerostat manufacturing technology, equipment, facilities and tooling to bring our advanced designs to life. We offer capabilities and experience manufacturing aerostat and airship flex structures, mooring stations, avionics, tethers and ground support equipment.

Complete Systems Manufacturing

TCOM is the only LTA Company in the world that has a facility devoted to aerostat manufacturing, airship manufacturing, assembly, flight test and training operations – all in a single location. We manufacture the world’s largest aerostats and are capable of manufacturing, inflating, rigging, and testing them all while protected from the weather inside our hangar. We also perform integration and flight testing onsite at our new flight pad. Our aerostats are manufactured using highly engineered, TCOM-designed base fabric. The fabrics are then seamed together using specialized equipment designed by TCOM for the sole purpose of building our flex structures. Once assembled, they are air inflated and tested, then inflated with helium. After helium inflation, the hardware and rigging is installed which prepares the aerostat for integration with the rest of the system.

Our new, state-of-the-art mooring station manufacturing facility is conveniently located adjacent to the hangar. All assembly and testing of the mooring stations is conducted in this central facility. Prior to integration with the aerostat and surveillance components, the mooring stations are passed through a rigorous acceptance procedure to ensure all functionality. Once the mooring structure, boom, tower, and other major portions are assembled together, integration of the machinery, electrical and hydraulic systems takes place. The system’s avionics are also designed and manufactured by TCOM in an environmentally controlled area located at the headquarters facility. After all the components are procured and inspected, material kits are put into the shop for assembly and unit testing. TCOM employs a highly trained and experienced staff dedicated to wiring all the electronic items for the aerostat, mooring system and ground station. In addition, we build swivel slip-rings and perform tether termination and break testing, and perform thermal cycling and stress testing.

Once all of the electronics components have passed unit test, they are assembled together as a functional system and fully tested against rigorous acceptance standards. If payloads are available, they can be integrated at the electronics manufacturing facility or later with the complete system at the hangar. After the aerostat, mooring system, and avionics subsystems are completed, they are integrated together at the new flight pad, located at the Manufacturing Flight and Test Facility. Flight tests then begin as the complete system functionality is tested.

Quality Assurance

The Elizabeth City aerostat Manufacturing and Flight Test Facility enables TCOM to provide customers with an unparalleled level of quality assurance, training, ongoing operations and field support services. This facility has become the East Coast hub for all airship maintenance and assembly activities. The ability of TCOM to manufacture complete systems, rather than just sub-assemblies, provides us the flexibility to change quickly when needed to accommodate our customers’ needs.

Pioneering Achievements

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A Legacy of Aerostat Innovation:

The name TCOM is synonymous with the aerostat and with airborne persistent surveillance. Over the past 40 years, TCOM engineers have introduced countless innovations including advanced materials, clean room construction, modern payload integration techniques, reliable ground based power systems and simplified ground control equipment. Our ongoing advancements continue to revolutionize LTA system design and manufacturing techniques. TCOM aerostats are the standard to which all others aspire. Here are just a few reasons why:

Pioneering Achievements:

First to use laminate materials for aerostat fabrics
First fiber-optic powered tether system
First tether to double as LF communications antenna
First aerostat provider to offer customized payloads and mooring systems
First lightning protection systems for tethered aerostats
First fully integrated modular mooring system
First modern aerostat system to broadcast radio and TV
First aerostat to carry electronic payloads for US-allied foreign nations
First sea-based aerostat system
First aerostat system to remain deployed for missions of 30 days or longer
First aerostat in theater supporting both Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom
First and only company to deploy an aerostat at an altitude of 20,000 feet above ground station
Produced largest aerostat ever in operation
Longest ongoing aerostat surveillance operations

Tradition of Performance:

From the shores of the Adriatic to the glaciers of the Arctic, from conflict zones of the Middle East to the border regions of the United States, TCOM airborne persistent surveillance solutions provide actionable intelligence from an elevated perspective. Our surveillance systems have served as vital components in applications as disparate as television and radio broadcasting, drug traffic interdiction, illegal immigration prevention, communications intelligence, air defense surveillance, electronic intelligence, troop and vehicle monitoring, and insurgent detection.

TCOM persistent surveillance systems can be customized for deployment over air, land or sea. The complete systems provide total domain awareness, improving mission effectiveness and efficiency. In every environment, TCOM systems provide mission-critical details in time for decision makers to take appropriate action.

Posts

End-to-end systems engineered for any environment.

TCOM advancements continue to define the industry.

TCOM aerostat systems are Soldiers of the Skies.

TCOM makes persistent surveillance affordable.

Pages

Airship Gallery

Sea Based Aerostat Gallery

74M Aerostat Gallery

71M Aerostat Gallery

Platforms

KEY DETAILS

Designed to meet mission objectives in any domain

Customized for air, land and sea surveillance applications

Affordable, reliable persistent surveillance solutions

Tactical, Operational and Strategic Solutions Designed to Meet Any Mission

TCOM Aerostat Classes

Tactical Class: 12M, 17M

Operational Class: 22M, 28M

Strategic Class: 71M, 74M

TCOM Provides Tethered Aerostat Persistent Surveillance Solutions to RAID Program in Iraq and Afghanistan

Case Study Facts:

The Challenge

The Solution

The Result

TCOM Persistent Sea Surveillance System Improves Maritime Security in Italy

Case Study Facts:

The Challenge

The Solution

The Result

Support from Start to Finish

The Turnkey Installation Solution Includes:

Experienced Personnel Ensure Success

Advanced Aerostat Manufacturing Facilities

Complete Systems Manufacturing

Quality Assurance

A Legacy of Aerostat Innovation:

Pioneering Achievements:

Tradition of Performance:

Aerostats Systems

Domain Applications

Total Systems Capabilities

Integrated Logistics Support

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