The U.S. Government authorized the possible sale to Poland of four aerostats to be incorporated into the Polish aerospace defense system.
The State Department approved a potential Foreign Military Sale (FMS) to the Government of Poland of Airspace and Surface Radar Reconnaissance aerostat systems and associated logistics support elements at an estimated cost of $1.2 billion.
Zapowiedzi Szefa Agencji Uzbrojenia gen. bryg. Artura Kuptela dziś znalazły swoje potwierdzenie. @StateDept wyraził zgodę na pozyskanie przez #Polska systemów aerostatycznych kryptonim #BARBARA.
W ramach przyszłej umowy #WojskoPolskie otrzyma nie tylko nowoczesny system… pic.twitter.com/r3Hahka8gg
— Agencja Uzbrojenia (@AgencjaUzbr) February 7, 2024
According to the Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) press release, the Government of Poland requested the purchase of Airborne Airspace and Surface Radar Reconnaissance (ASRR) aerostat systems; airborne early warning (AEW) radars with Identification Friend or Foe (IFF) capability; along with electronic sensor systems; motorized tether mooring systems with embedded fiber optics; ground control systems (GCS); associated installation hardware; special tools and test equipment; logistics support, personnel training, technical documentation, etc.
These aerostats will complement the Saab 340 AEW&C aircraft recently acquired from Sweden in the mission to provide early aerial detection, particularly against low radar signature targets flying close to the ground surface, which are difficult for ground-based airborne scanning radars to detect.
Aerostat early warning system
Deployed at high altitude and equipped with its advanced Active Electronically Scanning Array (AESA) radar, the system is capable of detecting and tracking multiple targets, including aircraft, cruise missiles, drones, loitering munitions and other low-flying threats, well beyond the range of ground-based radars. The robust system offers persistent operation for up to 30 days, as well as low operating costs.
The system can be further enhanced by adding SIGINT, IFF and EO/IR sensors to improve target classification, identification and discrimination. In addition, the system can act as a communications repeater extending LOS communication networks. The complete solution is managed by a command and control center and can interface with other C4I systems.
