Integrated Sensor is Structure
Encyclopedia
The Integrated Sensor is Structure, sometimes called Integrated Sensor is the Structure, (ISIS), is a program managed by the United States Air Force
(USAF) to research the feasibility of using an unmanned airship
as a high-altitude reconnaissance
and surveillence platform. The program, as of March 2009, is directed by the United States Air Force Research Laboratory.
As currently proposed, the 450 feet (137.2 m)-long surveillance airship could be launched from the US and stationed for up to 10 years at an altitude of 65000 feet (19,812 m) above the target area. The airship would be equipped with radar, integrated into the structure of the airship, to observe the movement of vehicles, aircraft, and people below. At that altitude, the airship would be beyond the range of most surface-to-air and air-to-air missiles. The airship would be filled with helium
and powered, at least in part, by solar-powered hydrogen fuel cells. The radar system as proposed would have a range of 373 miles (600 km).
The USAF has signed an agreement with DARPA to develop a small demonstration prototype by 2014. Past work on the project was done by Northrop Grumman
and Lockheed Martin
. The USAF announced on March 12, 2009 that it had budgeted $400 million for work on the project.
In April 2009 DARPA awarded a $399.9 million contract to Lockheed Martin as the systems integrator and Raytheon
as the radar developer for phase three of ISIS. Under the contract, Lockheed will lead the construction of a one-third scale model of a blimp featuring Raytheon's new, low-power density radar system. The goal of the ISIS program is provide radar capable of delivering persistent, wide-area surveillance tracking and engagement of air targets within a 600-kilometer area and ground targets within a 300 miles (482.8 km) area, according to DARPA. The blimp will have a radar about 7,176 square yards (6,000 square meters) in size to be tested at an altitude of 6 miles (9.7 km) above the ground. The contract awarded $100 million initially to the two companies, with the rest to follow in phases with a completion date of March 2013.
United States Air Force
The United States Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the American uniformed services. Initially part of the United States Army, the USAF was formed as a separate branch of the military on September 18, 1947 under the National Security Act of...
(USAF) to research the feasibility of using an unmanned airship
Airship
An airship or dirigible is a type of aerostat or "lighter-than-air aircraft" that can be steered and propelled through the air using rudders and propellers or other thrust mechanisms...
as a high-altitude reconnaissance
Reconnaissance
Reconnaissance is the military term for exploring beyond the area occupied by friendly forces to gain information about enemy forces or features of the environment....
and surveillence platform. The program, as of March 2009, is directed by the United States Air Force Research Laboratory.
As currently proposed, the 450 feet (137.2 m)-long surveillance airship could be launched from the US and stationed for up to 10 years at an altitude of 65000 feet (19,812 m) above the target area. The airship would be equipped with radar, integrated into the structure of the airship, to observe the movement of vehicles, aircraft, and people below. At that altitude, the airship would be beyond the range of most surface-to-air and air-to-air missiles. The airship would be filled with helium
Helium
Helium is the chemical element with atomic number 2 and an atomic weight of 4.002602, which is represented by the symbol He. It is a colorless, odorless, tasteless, non-toxic, inert, monatomic gas that heads the noble gas group in the periodic table...
and powered, at least in part, by solar-powered hydrogen fuel cells. The radar system as proposed would have a range of 373 miles (600 km).
The USAF has signed an agreement with DARPA to develop a small demonstration prototype by 2014. Past work on the project was done by Northrop Grumman
Northrop Grumman
Northrop Grumman Corporation is an American global aerospace and defense technology company formed by the 1994 purchase of Grumman by Northrop. The company was the fourth-largest defense contractor in the world as of 2010, and the largest builder of naval vessels. Northrop Grumman employs over...
and Lockheed Martin
Lockheed Martin
Lockheed Martin is an American global aerospace, defense, security, and advanced technology company with worldwide interests. It was formed by the merger of Lockheed Corporation with Martin Marietta in March 1995. It is headquartered in Bethesda, Maryland, in the Washington Metropolitan Area....
. The USAF announced on March 12, 2009 that it had budgeted $400 million for work on the project.
In April 2009 DARPA awarded a $399.9 million contract to Lockheed Martin as the systems integrator and Raytheon
Raytheon
Raytheon Company is a major American defense contractor and industrial corporation with core manufacturing concentrations in weapons and military and commercial electronics. It was previously involved in corporate and special-mission aircraft until early 2007...
as the radar developer for phase three of ISIS. Under the contract, Lockheed will lead the construction of a one-third scale model of a blimp featuring Raytheon's new, low-power density radar system. The goal of the ISIS program is provide radar capable of delivering persistent, wide-area surveillance tracking and engagement of air targets within a 600-kilometer area and ground targets within a 300 miles (482.8 km) area, according to DARPA. The blimp will have a radar about 7,176 square yards (6,000 square meters) in size to be tested at an altitude of 6 miles (9.7 km) above the ground. The contract awarded $100 million initially to the two companies, with the rest to follow in phases with a completion date of March 2013.