Established in 2011, French company A-NSE specialises in aerostats, including captive balloons, for civil and military applications. The types used for maritime surveillance are designed to carry sensor payloads ranging from radars to electro-optical devices and AIS receivers as well as electronic warfare suites. Aerostats offer significant benefits — not least their payload capacity and the ability to remain aloft and stationary for up to 24 hours in the case of crewed airships or 40 days for captive balloons.
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