Posts
Manufacturing
/0 Comments/in Facilities /by galHome Caption 4
/0 Comments/in home slider /by galTCOM 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.
Home Caption 3
/0 Comments/in home slider /by galWe 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.
Home Caption 2
/0 Comments/in home slider /by galTCOM 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.
Home Caption 1
/0 Comments/in home slider /by galExpanding 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.
Pages
Airships
/0 Comments/by galAirship 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
/0 Comments/by galSea 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.
Payloads
/0 Comments/by galAerostat Payload Gallery
TCOM is the global leader in airborne persistent surveillance solutions, providing actionable intelligence rapidly and reliably in the world’s most challenging operational environments. TCOM aerostat systems can accommodate various payloads including communications equipment, radar, infrared, and video surveillance. Payloads can be customized to meet any mission over air, land or sea.
Platforms
/0 Comments/by galPlatforms
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: Kuwait
/0 Comments/by galTIMELY DEPLOYMENT OF TCOM AEROSTAT SYSTEM SAVES LIVES IN KUWAIT
Case Study Facts:
- Kuwaiti borders vulnerable to attack
- Government needed total surveillance solution to monitor air, land and sea
- TCOM 71M LASS System deployed
- Timely deployment enabled rapid detection of invasion forces
- Radar Operator at LASS site alerted Kuwaiti Forces
- Enabled safe departure of Kuwaiti Royal Family
- TCOM aerostats remain critical component of Kuwaiti border security strategy
- Kuwaiti citizens are safer thanks to TCOM persistent surveillance systems

The Challenge
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 Solution
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.

The Result
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
/0 Comments/by galEnd-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
/0 Comments/by galSupport 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
/0 Comments/by galAdvanced 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.
Design
/0 Comments/by galAerostat Design: Customized to Meet the Mission
Every security mission requires a unique set of sensors integrated onto a TCOM aerostat design to form a platform system that will meet the customer’s persistent Intelligence, Surveillance & Reconnaissance (ISR) mission. At the heart of every TCOM Aerostat Surveillance system lies a proven design process that effectively blends customer needs and superior engineering to create the system that will meet all of the customer’s functional requirements in a cost-effective and reliable way. The aerostat design also ensures durability and performance for the life of the system.
Experience Enables Excellence
TCOM engineers begin the aerostat design process by gathering a full understanding of the customer’s surveillance mission and operational environment. Based on this understanding and years of expert knowledge and experience, the engineers select the ideal sensor suite that will be integrated onto the Aerostat. TCOM designs also take into account the required communications, power, EMI/RFI stabilization and heading reference systems to provide a high availability airborne surveillance system. Our engineers excel at designing the ground control station as well as the fiber-optic powered tether that carries data and command information from the aerostat to the ground station. TCOM promotes, encourages and supports design engineering in their quest for technical excellence and innovation by providing the analysis tools, state-of-the-art analysis software and test facilities to enable cost effective innovative solutions to challenging aerostat design requirements. In addition, processes and mechanisms are in place to spawn new initiatives and identify emerging technologies so that TCOM engineering is always ahead of the technical curve.
Comprehensive Expertise
TCOM’s Engineering Design group boasts an experienced staff of experts in civil, mechanical, electrical and systems engineering, aerodynamics, analog and digital communications, tether design, airborne and ground power systems, hydraulics, meteorology, logistics, installation, training, field engineering, operations and other disciplines necessary for the implementation of full-scale turnkey aerostat design projects. At TCOM we don’t just engineer superior products – we engineer success.
Careers
/0 Comments/by galCareers
Become a Member of the TCOM Team:
TCOM recruits and retains top talent from high-level positions in military, government, and technology sectors, expert engineers from top-ranked schools, and skilled technicians with proven experience. Our team of dedicated professionals consists of a diverse blend of innovators, designers, and support staff.
We offer an excellent benefits package, including medical, dental, vision, and a 401(k) retirement plan. In addition to a generous holiday and vacation schedule, the company has an established compressed workweek schedule in which all employees work a 9/80 schedule (80 hours worked in 9 days) which enables the company to close every other Friday.
TCOM truly values our employees. When you come to work for us, you become part of the TCOM family! We are steadily growing and hiring for several positions. If you are interested and/or know of someone who is interested in joining the TCOM team, please click here to view our job openings
Columbia, MD 21046
MRF: https://www.cigna.com/legal/compliance/machine-readable-files |
|
This link leads to the machine-readable files that are made available in response to the federal Transparency in Coverage Rule and includes negotiated service rates and out-of-network allowed amounts between health plans and healthcare providers. The machine-readable files are formatted to allow researchers, regulators, and application developers to more easily access and analyze data. | |
Aerostats Systems
Domain Applications
Total Systems Capabilities
Integrated Logistics Support
This site uses cookies. By continuing to browse the site, you are agreeing to our use of cookies.
Accept settingsHide notification onlySettingsCookie and Privacy Settings
We may request cookies to be set on your device. We use cookies to let us know when you visit our websites, how you interact with us, to enrich your user experience, and to customize your relationship with our website.
Click on the different category headings to find out more. You can also change some of your preferences. Note that blocking some types of cookies may impact your experience on our websites and the services we are able to offer.
These cookies are strictly necessary to provide you with services available through our website and to use some of its features.
Because these cookies are strictly necessary to deliver the website, refuseing them will have impact how our site functions. You always can block or delete cookies by changing your browser settings and force blocking all cookies on this website. But this will always prompt you to accept/refuse cookies when revisiting our site.
We fully respect if you want to refuse cookies but to avoid asking you again and again kindly allow us to store a cookie for that. You are free to opt out any time or opt in for other cookies to get a better experience. If you refuse cookies we will remove all set cookies in our domain.
We provide you with a list of stored cookies on your computer in our domain so you can check what we stored. Due to security reasons we are not able to show or modify cookies from other domains. You can check these in your browser security settings.
These cookies collect information that is used either in aggregate form to help us understand how our website is being used or how effective our marketing campaigns are, or to help us customize our website and application for you in order to enhance your experience.
If you do not want that we track your visist to our site you can disable tracking in your browser here:
We also use different external services like Google Webfonts, Google Maps, and external Video providers. Since these providers may collect personal data like your IP address we allow you to block them here. Please be aware that this might heavily reduce the functionality and appearance of our site. Changes will take effect once you reload the page.
Google Webfont Settings:
Google Map Settings:
Vimeo and Youtube video embeds:
You can read about our cookies and privacy settings in detail on our Privacy Policy Page.
Privacy Policy