Integrated Sensor is Structure

The Integrated Sensor is Structure or ISIS, is a program managed by the United States Air Force (USAF) to research the feasibility of using an airship as a high-altitude reconaissance and surveillence platform. The program, as of March 2009, is managed by the United States Air Force Research Laboratory.

As currently proposed, the 450-foot-long surveillence airship could be stationed for up to 10 years at an altitude of 65,000 feet above the target area. The airship would be equipped with radar 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 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.

References

Barnes, Julian E. (March 13, 2009). "Pentagon Plans Blimp To Spy From New Heights" (Newspaper article). Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 16 March 2009.
Singer, Jeremy (August 9, 2006). "Pentagon's airship plans are up in the air". MSNBC. Retrieved 16 March 2009.

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