Project: AEROKITE

AEROPHILE was created in 1993 and is the world leader in manned tethered gas balloon._x000D__x000D_AEROPHILE has developed the AERO30NG, a tethered gas balloon for 30 passengers. More than 50 balloons of that type have been successfully launched in 25 different countries._x000D_Since many years, a lot of companies are looking for an easy way to hang into the sky, at low cost and long duration system for: security watch, fire surveillance, radio transmitting, photo, pollution watch…_x000D_The increase of security requirements, the decrease of the weight of the payload, and the general craze for ecology make the balloon system more and more relevant to achieve those aims._x000D_With the design, manufacture and operation of the Aero30NG, AEROPHILE has developed a unique know how and experience with the balloon specific technics: weight, resistance and gas tightness of the fabric, logistic for the gas, pressure, weather, inflation, operation, COtenance, certification, safety, mooring, tethering…_x000D_The project is to develop a new type of tethered balloon with improved capacity. The range of operation is to lift 100 kg at 300 m above ground level with power on board and improve the way the balloon flies under windy conditions and simplify the operation: inflation, mooring, storage._x000D_The existing systems are very cheap, with very limited capacity; or very expensive with very large capacity. AEROPHILE wants to develop a medium range, adapted for the new application and new weight of payload. This will be achieved by developing an innovating shape of balloon._x000D_The consortium is composed of AEROPHILE and BALLONBAU WÖRNER. The 2 companies have collaborated since 1993: AEROPHILE designs, sells and operates the balloon. BALLONBAU WÖRNER builds the balloon parts. The same consortium created the Aero30NG in 1993, first modern manned tethered balloon; and the Aero2 in 2001, first mobile manned tethered balloon system. Both companies are certified as aircraft designer and manufacturer by the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA)._x000D__x000D_In the current craze and need for Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV), the project is to adress the range of Low Altitud, Long Endurance (LALE) with an improved tethered balloon.

Acronym	AEROKITE (Reference Number: 6144)
Duration	17/01/2011 - 17/04/2013
Project Topic	Development of a new kind of tethered gas balloon
Project Results (after finalisation)	Development of a new tethered balloon system composed of an ovoide shape balloon and a 3 cable manoeuvring system.
Network	Eurostars
Call	Eurostars Cut-Off 5

Project partner

Number	Name	Role	Country
2	AEROPHILE SAS	Coordinator	France
2	BALLONBAU WÖRNER GMBH	Partner	Germany