Sea based aerostats (SBA): effective surveillance for maritime interdiction

The use of the sea-based aerostat by the US Coast Guard to locate drug traffickers is described. The radar surveillance and command-and-control platform consists of an aerodynamically shaped balloon, a radar, a command and control center, and a platform vessel. It is concluded that the platform is efficient, effective, and inexpensive. It can determine general vessel size, screen probable traffickers from innocent mariners, conserve cutter fuel and search time, extend cutter on-scene endurance by UNREP, and provide deterrence value.<>