Pentagon orders upgraded Gen 2 WASP aerostats

Drone Aviation Holding Corp. has been awarded a $780,000 Department of Defense contract for aerostats.

Drone Aviation will deliver multiple units of its Winch Aerostat Small Platform (WASP) tactical aerostat system, according to a company news release. The number of systems ordered was not specified.

The Gen 2 WASP features several improvements over its predecessor, including expanded helium storage supply that allows deployment for up to four weeks. It also has an upgraded payload unit that allows various sensors to be swapped.

"With this generation of the WASP, we are moving this company from its development phase into a commercialization stage focused on aerial products designed for the military and civilian commercial markets," Drone Aviation CEO Jay Nussbaum said.

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