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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.
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74M Aerostats
71M Aerostats
Case Study: RAID
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.
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 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.
Documentation
Technical Documentation to Improve Operations
While TCOM’s aerostat surveillance systems are less costly and less complex than many of the alternatives (such as manned aircraft, satellites, and large UAV’s), TCOM’s systems are, none the less, extremely sophisticated. As such, accurate and understandable documentation is required to support the operation and maintenance of our systems wherever they are deployed. To address this need TCOM relies on our Technical Documentation Group which is made up of individuals with the diverse technical backgrounds needed to cover all aspects of the system. Most possess advanced degrees and many have extensive military experience, particularly in aircraft flight and maintenance. The Technical Documentation Group produces the necessary supporting documentation for every Aerostat Surveillance System including:
- Theory and Operations Manuals
- Preventive and Corrective Maintenance Manuals
- Supporting drawings and parts lists
Formatted for Multiple Devices
The manuals can be written either to our own best commercial practices standards, or to a variety of MIL STDs as required by the customer. While most customers still desire paper manuals for aerostat documentation, electronic versions of our manuals are now available online if requested. TCOM has worked with the U. S. Army in developing Interactive Electronic Technical Manuals (IETMs) in accordance with the AeroSpace and Defence Industries Association of Europe (ASD) standard, S1000D. TCOM is currently developing searchable interactive documentation that will be portable across a variety of platforms such as PC’s, laptops, and mobile devices.
Documentation to Facilitate Training
TCOM trained customer Operations & Maintenance personnel using TCOM generated aerostat documentation has proven successful in increasing on-station time and further lowering life cycle costs of Persistent Airborne Surveillance in some of the most troubled regions of the world.
- Accurate and Comprehensive Information prepared by an experienced staff
- Choice of Electronic or Paper Format
- Increases protection while lowering costs
- Optimized for mobile devices