The Ministry of Economy and Innovation of Lithuania has named the projects that should help combat balloons. Among them are shooting down balloons with lasers, intercepting drones, and a system of airships.
On October 27, Lithuania announced a program worth 1 million euros aimed at finding a solution to combat balloons directed at Lithuania.
On Monday, Minister of Economy and Innovation Edvinas Grikšas reported that a total of 35 companies participated in the competition. Three companies were selected: "IT logika," "Teltonika EMS," and "Dangaus šviesos." In the first stage, they will be awarded prizes of 100,000 euros each, and in the second stage, the implementation of ideas will follow.
So, what did the winners come up with?
"IT logika" is ready to develop an Intelligent Airspace Protection System, based on fixed-wing drones capable of operating at high altitudes.
An integrated laser-optical sensor will allow for detecting and recognizing targets at any time of day, and a powerful laser will enable the destruction of most balloons during a single flight. The trajectory prediction of objects and recognition will be performed using artificial intelligence algorithms. Real-time information will be provided from DBOX drone base stations, radars, and other geographically distributed sensors.
Among the authors of the best solutions is the company "Teltonika EMS," which will develop an autonomous airspace and border surveillance and protection system for Lithuania. It promises to detect and identify threats in the air—balloons and drones—around the clock, and if necessary, it will be able to destroy the target. Using interceptor drones produced in Lithuania, the system will integrate sensors, unmanned aerial vehicles, and control centers into a single operational picture, which will gradually be transmitted to Lithuanian institutions.
In turn, the consortium represented by "Dangaus šviesos" promises to develop a system of airships for intercepting balloons. This system combines various technologies for safely bringing illegal balloons down to the ground.
It is worth noting that due to balloons launched from Belarus into Lithuania, Vilnius Airport has been closed more than 10 times, disrupting the plans of tens of thousands of passengers.
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