US Army Backs Surveillance Balloons with $447M Contract Despite Growing Drone Threat

Summary

The US Army has awarded TCOM LP a $447 million contract for its Persistent Surveillance Systems-Tethered aerostat fleet, despite growing concerns about the vulnerability of large surveillance balloons to inexpensive drone attacks. This decision comes as recent conflicts, such as Hezbollah's drone attacks against Israeli forces, highlight the challenges faced by expensive military surveillance systems against low-cost adversaries.