CUV completes aerostat test support for US Navy
Naval Information Warfare Center (NIWC) Atlantic demonstrated STMPAS technology at the 21st Century Combined Arms Advanced Naval Technology Exercise in 2019. (Photo: US Army)
Carolina Unmanned Vehicles (CUV) has successfully completed support a test series supporting the Naval Information Warfare Center (NIWC) Atlantic Naval Innovative Science and Engineering (NISE) Project, Tactical Deployable Mobile User Objective System (MUOS).
The project aims to enable assured tactical communications by employing a UAS with a communications surrogate payload.
CUV support included an integration test and two system demonstrations. The two demonstrations were in conjunction with Advanced Naval Technology Exercise in April 2021 and the Trident Warrior Exercises.
The testing used the CUV Engineering test Unit 3 (ETU3), a developmental platform for the Small Tactical Multi-Payload Aerostat System (STMPAS).
STMPAS is a mobile, trailer-mounted, tactical aerostat suitable for military missions such as persistent, 24/7 ISR, long-range C3 relay (60+miles) and acting as a C3 translation node.
Suited for border surveillance and post-disaster emergency communications, it can maintain continuous BVLoS communication to low-altitude UAS at extended ranges.
It has a minimum crew size of two technicians and is C-130 Roll-on Roll-off capable.
Previous versions of STMPAS were deployed by the Army to provide ISR capability for small tactical units in Afghanistan.
The current version of STMPAS provides an improved launch timeline and allows movement of the system with the Helikite inflated atop the trailer.
More from Air Warfare
-
Baykar completes Piaggio Aerospace takeover with plans to boost drone production
The takeover of the Italian firm by Baykar solidifies the company’s efforts to forge closer ties with Italian industry, bolsters its partnership with Leonardo to produce UAVs and secures its foothold in Europe.
-
US budget boosts Boeing’s F-15EX with $3.1 billion investment to increase fleet to 129
The F-15EX Eagle II had already been singled out for further funding in January 2025, when it was chosen to replace the A-10 aircraft for the US National Guard.
-
Spain earmarks $1.6 billion for Hurjet trainer aircraft acquisition
Spain’s Defence Minister told the Senate Defense Commission on 27 June of the decision to acquire Turkish Aerospace Industries’ (TAI) trainers as the country seeks to replace its Northrop F-5M aircraft.
-
Leonardo’s Proteus structural tests “nearing completion” ahead of first flight
The company has tested over 15 mission sets for the drone, with the rotorcraft used to demonstrate the viability of armed forces utilising large uncrewed aerial systems’ (UAS) for autonomous missions in the future.
-
US Navy’s FA-XX programme still an “option”, as FY2026 US defence budget outline proposed
The US Navy’s answer to a sixth-generation fighter has experienced a range of setbacks and delays to the programme, with only $47 million in this latest proposed budget set aside for completing the aircraft.
-
Interview: Edge Group eyes Indonesian market for naval and UAV expansion
The UAE’s Edge Group has been positioning itself as a key defence and technology partner to Indonesia, where it has been focusing on naval platforms, UAVs and long-term industrial collaboration.