Air

Army eyes high-altitude balloons that launch drones against China's defenses

The Army is studying high-altitude balloons that would carry sensors, communications relays and launched drones to help crack China's anti-access defenses, according to Maj. Gen. Bernard Harrington of Multi-Domain Command-Pacific. Soldiers have flown balloon-and-drone pairings in exercises in Guam, Japan and Michigan. No program of record, costs or procurement timeline has been announced.

Illustration of a high-altitude balloon carrying a small fixed-wing drone above the clouds

Illustration: Autonomy Wire (AI-generated)

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