U.S. Army tests drone-dropping micro high-altitude balloons from landing craft

The U.S. Army trialed low-observable micro high-altitude balloons (μHAB) launched from a landing craft, carrying comms relay nodes, SATCOM, sensors, and one-way attack drones. The concept combines stratospheric persistence for ISR/comms extension with a new maritime launch method for “launched effects” precision strike at small-unit/SOF level, aimed at contested long-range environments.