This demo will feature flight testing and inspection of the initial version of Sanswire-TAO’s STS-111 airship, highlighting the unique capabilities inherent with the flexible segmented design. Future plans call for the subsequent FuelGas powered STS-111 platform to be delivered to Sanswire’s systems integrator and operator where the systems integration work on the STS-111’s command and control suites will commence followed by training on operations of the STS-111 in preparation for delivering fully operational airships for deployment and operations.
The STS-111 is designed to fulfill a range of mission profiles at mid altitudes, performing both persistent loitering and racetrack operations nonstop for an estimated two and a half days. The airship is engineered to carry various payloads of intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance and communications equipment, as well as having the capability to provide up to a 200-kilometer operational line of sight. The STS-111 has been designed to rapidly unfold from its standard-size crate and be prepared and tactically launched from virtually anywhere with minimal ground crew and no need for a large hangar or runway.


