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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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Sea Based Aerostats
Payloads
74M Aerostats
71M Aerostats
Platforms
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.
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Case Study: Kuwait
During the months preceding the first Gulf War, Kuwaiti security forces were faced with unique surveillance challenges. Forces needed to maintain awareness of activities along the interior border with Iraq, along the coast of the Persian Gulf, as well as in the surrounding airspace. Without total domain awareness, the nation was particularly vulnerable to attack.
The Kuwaiti government turned to TCOM, the leader in persistent airborne surveillance, to solve the border surveillance issues using an aerostat system. Just two months after becoming operational, a TCOM LASS (Low Altitude Surveillance System) provided vital early warning of the Iraqi invasion that allowed the Kuwaiti Royal Family to escape. The TCOM 71M Aerostat system had been operating continuously at high altitude for 6 days when, in the very early hours after midnight, its radar payload provided the first alert of Iraqi helicopter activity and mass crossing of Iraqi tanks across the Kuwaiti air and land borders.
A radar operator at the site was credited with alerting the Kuwaiti Air Force Officers of the impending invasion. This early warning allowed security forces to arrange the safe departure of the Emir and his family from Kuwait. TCOM employees at the LASS site continued to operate the system for four more hours during the invasion before safely fleeing the site.
Since the initial detection of invading Iraqi forces, TCOM aerostat surveillance systems have been an integral component to Kuwaiti border security programs. Currently, a TCOM 71M Aerostat system provides persistent surveillance along the Kuwaiti borders, simultaneously detecting and tracking low flying aircraft, surface vessels and ground movers. Ultimately, the Kuwaiti borders – and Kuwaiti citizens – are safer thanks to TCOM persistent surveillance systems.
Aerostat Lifecycle Support
End-to-End Aerostat Lifecycle Support
Following customer acceptance of the turnkey system, TCOM provides enhanced aerostat Lifecycle Support (LCS) of the system that will significantly benefit the End User for the life of the system.
Proven Expertise
TCOM’s proven approach to aerostat lifecycle support for fielded systems is based on our expertise in anticipating each system’s needs, balancing availability with affordability, and assigning Headquarters and Field personnel familiar with the system. The support assumes that Operation & Maintenance of the system is being performed by properly trained customer personnel using TCOM supplied documentation, and includes the following elements:
Supply Support: Initial Provisioning of spare parts, support and test equipment and periodic re-provisioning based on failures and usage.
Warranty Support: Processing of warranty claims in a timely manner during the warranty period and repair or replacement of the item in question.
Logistics Monitoring: A Logistics Engineer is assigned to each program to maintain a logistic data base which tracks usage/failures in the field and tracks and expedites return of repairables.
Obsolescence Monitoring: TCOM utilizes a COTS obsolescence software tool to actively monitor Bills of Material for obsolete items. TCOM will offer a quantity buy or a design upgrade for the item.
Mod Kits to implement system improvements and/or Upgrades that are driven by emerging needs from customer, feedback from field or operators, or improvements supplied with newer systems.
Improving Availability and Efficiency
Based on many years of experience operating and maintaining aerostat systems, TCOM’s proven aerostat Lifecycle Support has helped to increase aerostat systems availability in an efficient and cost effective manner. To better support our expanding business base, TCOM increased our support capability by adding a well-equipped Logistics Center at our MFTF in Elizabeth City, NC.
Turnkey Installation
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
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.