Science Applications International Corporation

As the use of unmanned aerial systems (UASs) expands into challenging civilian and military missions, the restrictions posed by flight in National Air Space (NAS) increasingly limit their operational flexibility. Relying on the experience gained from developing our SKYBUS UAS airships, Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC) has solved this limitation by developing a line of "pilot-optional" lighter-than-air (LTA) airships. Using the same proven and Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) certified flight control systems as our autonomous UAS airships, the SKYBUS line of pilot-optional airships combines the airspace access of a manned airship with the operational flexibility of an unmanned airship.

Similar to our dedicated SKYBUS UAS airships, the SAIC SKYBUS pilot-optional airships can carry a variety of sensors and equipment, supporting the spectrum of persistent intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) missions. Alternatively, these airships can be configured for transport of cargo to support commercial or military operations in remote regions.
SKYBUS Airships

Are low-cost airborne platforms for long endurance missions
Can operate at altitudes ranging from 1,000 feet to 20,000 feet
Can carry payloads ranging from 500 pounds to tens of thousands of pounds
Are available in several sizes from 138,000 to 1,500,000 cubic feet
Can self-deploy and loiter over areas of interest for 24 hours to multiple days
Can be operated from confined, unimproved, or forward-located sites
Can hover for tens of hours to several days, or fly at top speeds between 45 and 90 knots
Feature a resilient, damage-tolerant airframe and gas envelope
Have low noise, thermal, and radar signatures.