Air-Launched Balloon System

reportActive / Technical Report | Accession Number: ADB025764 | Open PDF

Abstract:

This test program was conducted to investigate the feasibility of developing an air-launched balloon system which is eventually intended to carry a tactical communications relay to altitude when a ground launch of the system is not practical. Fourteen airdrop tests were conducted from a C-130 aircraft at altitudes of 10,000 feet and 25,000 feet MSL and at an indicated airspeed of 130 knots. The test system weighed approximately 1500 pounds and operated in three stages 1 extraction and descent under the extraction parachute, 2 deployment and descent under the recovery parachute, and 3 deployment and filling of the balloon. The test results indicated that the system developed is a feasible approach for air-launching a balloon system with some further development. When testing was terminated by the customer due to a shortage of balloons, time, and money, several problems still existed in the system. The first-stage suspension system components were susceptible to damage during the extraction phase of the test and the balloon inflation tube was susceptible to being choked off and bursting during the balloon-filling phase.

Author(s):
Massey, Warren N. ; Wuest, Michael R.
Author Organization(s):
AIR FORCE FLIGHT TEST CENTER EDWARDS AFB CA
Descriptive Note:
Final rept. 2 Feb-17 Nov 1977
Supplementary Note:
DOI: 10.21236/ADB025764
Pagination:
0084

Security Markings

DOCUMENT & CONTEXTUAL SUMMARY

Distribution:
Approved For Public Release, Document Partially Illegible
Distribution Statement:
Availability: Document Partially Illegible.

RECORD

Collection: TR
Identifying Numbers
Report Number(s):
AFFTC-TR-77-42
Monitor Series:
AFFTC
 Subject Terms
Joint Capability Areas:
JCA_4.1_Deployment and Distribution; JCA_5_Command and Control; JCA_3.2_Engagement; JCA_3_Force Application; JCA_6.1.1_Wired Transmission; JCA_6_Net Centric; JCA_3.2.1_Kinetic Means; JCA_6.1.3_Switching and Routing; JCA_5.4.3_Establish Rule Sets; JCA_5.4_Decide; JCA_6.1_Information Transport
Modernization Areas:
Fully Networked C3
Communities of Interest:
Air Platforms
Descriptor(s):
*AERIAL DELIVERY, *BALLOONS, *RADIO RELAY SYSTEMS, TEST AND EVALUATION, DEPLOYMENT, RECOVERY, FEASIBILITY STUDIES, AIR DROP OPERATIONS, PARACHUTES, EXTRACTION, HELIUM, TRANSPORT AIRCRAFT, TACTICAL COMMUNICATIONS, INFLATING
Field(s)/Group(s):
Lighter-than-air Aircraft, Radio Communications
Keyword(s):
C 130 AIRCRAFT, PE62101F
Report Date:
1978 Feb 01