SINGAPORE — A floating radar-equipped balloon tethered to land, that can scan Singapore’s seas and skies for threats, has landed here. Shaped like a plane, the 55m-long Aerostat can provide 24/7 radar coverage of up to 200km.
The latest tool of the Republic of Singapore Air Force complements existing sensors that help to identify aerial and maritime threats. Singapore depends on layers of defence and has put in place ground-based radar sensors and air-based sensors, such as on unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and surveillance planes, over the years, said Defence Minister Ng Eng Hen on Tuesday (Nov 29).
Ground radar may be blocked by high-rise buildings, while it is difficult for UAVs to constantly be airborne. The aerostat, with an operating height of 600m, solves these problems.
“I call it … the RSAF biggie,” quipped Dr Ng, who was at Choa Chu Kang camp on Tuesday to observe testing of the Aerostat. As an island state, Singapore is vulnerable to threats from air and sea, he said, pointing to the 9/11 aeroplane attacks on New York City’s Twin Towers in 2001 and the 2008 Mumbai attacks, where terrorists came by boat.
The Aerostat has been tested elsewhere, and will be tested at various heights here over the next few months to ensure that it is operational. The balloon, made up of layers including polyester cloth, Tedlar film and Mylar film, requires eight ground crew to operate. Its tether is made of Kevlar and can withstand strong winds and lightning strikes.
Radiation from the radar equipment will be no more than that of mobile phones, said the Ministry of Defence (Mindef).
Asked about the delay in the Aerostat’s deployment — made by TCOM of the United States and which was to have been launched early last year — Dr Ng said it was not needed urgently as the main layer of defence, and the authorities wanted to be “doubly sure” that it was going to be safe.
Other security agencies that make use of aerostats include the US Customs and Border Protection Agency, said Mindef.
