As one variant for strengthening military airfield protection from drone attacks, France considers tethered balloons. Several-day experiment with such asset was conducted at 113th Airbase Commandant Antoine de Saint-Exupéry in Saint-Dizier in country's east.
Over five days, from August 31 through September 4, as defense department of France announced, for strengthening drone protection a 12 by 7 meter balloon was used, hovering at 200 meters altitude.
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However, if usually when mentioning balloon and air defense first thing that comes to mind is barrage balloon, in this case its role was different. French used this lighter-than-air aircraft as sensor placement platform.
Balloon was equipped with cameras and automatic threat detection system using artificial intelligence algorithms. Images from it were transmitted in real-time to airfield security unit.
It is noted test results analysis is currently ongoing. If they are recognized as positive, similar assets may contribute to strengthening defense capabilities of air and space forces facilities, especially in counter-drone sphere.
At same time, using balloon only as camera tower clearly demonstrates that one of key airfield drone defense tasks is timely threat detection. On other hand, nothing prevents evaluating effectiveness of placing other sensors on balloons, specifically radars, as well as engagement assets — anti-aircraft drones, anti-aircraft combat modules and other counter-drone assets.
Worth adding 113th Air and Space Forces airbase of France is basing location for Strategic Air Forces (Forces aériennes stratégiques), two squadrons 1/4 Gascogne and 2/4 La Fayette, armed with special Rafale versions carrying nuclear weapons — high-speed ASMP-A missiles and updated ASMPA-R version with 600 km launch range.
Meaning this airbase protection genuinely has strategic significance. At same time, Paris quite understands risks France may face if russia attempts to repeat Ukrainian Operation Spider Web, which targeted russian strategic missile carriers.
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