At the Border Security Expo held earlier this month in Phoenix, Arizona, Israeli defense firm RT LTA Systems Ltd. revealed its latest mobile aerostat surveillance platforms, signaling a growing reliance on high-altitude, tethered balloon technology to address long-standing gaps in U.S. border security infrastructure.
Showcased on April 8–9, the company’s SkyStar and SkyGuard systems caught the attention of border enforcement officials and industry leaders for their ability to provide persistent aerial surveillance over rugged and remote terrain—capabilities often beyond the reach of conventional towers, drones, or satellite monitoring.
RT LTA’s aerostat platforms are essentially high-tech surveillance balloons tethered to ground control stations. Once deployed, they float at heights ranging from 1,500 to 20,000 feet, carrying electro-optical sensors, infrared cameras, and radar payloads to monitor expansive ground areas in real time.
Unlike fixed surveillance infrastructure or drones with limited flight times, these systems can remain airborne for days and offer a cost-effective, stable platform for persistent ISR (intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance) operations.
“This technology gives us eyes in the sky where we didn’t have any before,” said a U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officer attending the expo. “It’s about coverage, but also about reliability in terrain where it’s hard to set up permanent equipment.”
One of the defining features of RT LTA’s systems is their mobility. The SkyStar 120, for example, is designed to be mounted on all-terrain vehicles (ATVs), enabling rapid deployment by small crews in austere or off-grid environments. Within 20 minutes, teams can launch the system, elevating sensors up to 1,500 feet for immediate surveillance.
This capability is particularly relevant along stretches of the U.S.-Mexico border where there are few roads, no towers, and where traditional fixed cameras offer limited value.
RT LTA’s CEO, Rami Shmueli, emphasized this point in a press release: “Our highly mobile and versatile systems are designed to address the evolving challenges of the U.S. southern border and beyond. With our Texas-based subsidiary, we are well-positioned to equip U.S. border security agencies with state-of-the-art ISR solutions.”
While the Department of Homeland Security has long invested in drones, manned aircraft, towers, and motion sensors, no single technology offers universal coverage. RT LTA’s systems aim to fill that gap with flexibility and endurance. Their use in real-world U.S. operations has already begun, as RT’s platforms have been integrated into certain CBP operations in recent years.
The SkyStar family includes several variants, from lightweight tactical systems to mid-range platforms like the SkyStar 180, which can carry up to 20 kilograms of sensors and operate continuously for up to 72 hours. On the strategic end, the SkyGuard family features large aerostats that can soar up to 20,000 feet and host heavier, longer-range payloads.
These platforms are already in use globally. In addition to the U.S., RT LTA’s systems have been deployed in Israel, Afghanistan, Mexico, and various parts of Asia for border surveillance, military base protection, and disaster monitoring.
One of the main advantages touted by the company is the ability to provide continuous aerial monitoring without the manpower, fuel, or logistical overhead required by manned aircraft or traditional drone fleets.
The systems are operated by small crews—sometimes as few as two people—who manage the aerostat’s deployment, data feeds, and positioning. Once airborne, the sensors relay high-resolution imagery, thermal scans, and radar information to ground operators and command centers.
Because of their tethered nature, the balloons maintain a stable geostationary position—ideal for monitoring known smuggling corridors or high-risk zones.
“These platforms are not only surveillance tools—they’re force multipliers,” said a former U.S. Army ISR analyst. “They allow fewer agents to cover more ground and respond faster to threats.”
The timing of RT LTA’s new product showcase is notable. The U.S.-Mexico border has seen ongoing strain due to migration surges, drug trafficking, and human smuggling. While technological investments have steadily increased under both Democratic and Republican administrations, gaps in coverage persist—particularly in rural areas where cartels exploit surveillance blind spots.
In January 2025 alone, CBP reported over 170,000 encounters at the southern border. Officials say the need for new technology that can rapidly adapt to changing routes and tactics is more urgent than ever.
Aerostats are not new to border operations. The U.S. military and CBP have experimented with similar platforms for years—some through the Department of Defense’s Tethered Aerostat Radar System (TARS) program. However, systems like RT LTA’s offer new levels of mobility and payload integration, appealing to border agents looking for tools that don’t require runways or permanent bases.
RT LTA’s presence in the U.S. is not purely foreign. Its Texas-based subsidiary, RT Aerostat Systems Inc., is responsible for American operations and support, creating a domestic footprint that could be critical for procurement and political acceptance.
Shmueli stated the company is exploring partnerships with U.S. defense contractors and border enforcement agencies to scale deployment and maintenance. “We are committed to working with local authorities and partners to ensure our systems meet U.S. operational standards and regulatory requirements,” he said.
The company is also pursuing FAA certifications to expand aerostat use in U.S. civilian airspace, which could open the door to broader applications, from wildfire monitoring to disaster relief coordination.
Despite the promise of these systems, privacy advocates have raised concerns about aerial surveillance platforms that can watch from thousands of feet in the sky—often silently and continuously.
“Persistent surveillance has a chilling effect on civil liberties, especially if it’s deployed without strong oversight,” said Jake Ward, a policy analyst with a U.S.-based digital rights organization. “We need clear rules about when, where, and how these systems are used.”
CBP officials have stated that all surveillance tools, including aerostats, are governed by internal privacy and data retention policies. Nonetheless, with the rise of AI-based image recognition and long-range sensors, calls for more transparency and accountability are likely to grow.
RT LTA’s unveiling at the Border Security Expo represents more than just a product launch—it highlights a shift in how border surveillance is being conceptualized and executed. With pressure mounting to secure vast, hard-to-patrol areas, agencies are turning to modular, fast-deployable solutions that combine technology with tactical flexibility.
