Company summary: 

RT LTA Systems Ltd. (often referred to simply as RT or RT Aerostats Systems) is an Israeli aerospace company that specializes in the design, development, and manufacture of tethered aerostat systems — lighter-than-air balloon platforms used for persistent intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance (ISR), communications, and situational awareness missions.

Founded in 1996 by Rami Shmueli, RT has established itself as a global leader in tactical aerostat technologies. Its Skystar™ family of systems has been operationally deployed worldwide in a wide range of military, homeland security, law enforcement, emergency response, and civilian applications, accumulating millions of flight hours supporting users in multiple continents. The company is headquartered and manufactures its systems in Yavne, Israel, and also operates a subsidiary, RT Aerostat Systems, Inc., in Texas, USA to support its international customers.

RT’s aerostats are valued for their rapid deployment, cost-effectiveness, ease of operation (requiring minimal training), and ability to carry a range of payloads up to 50 kg (depending on the model) without being limited to specific sensor manufacturers.

Product line summary: 

RT’s product portfolio centers on the Skystar™ family of tethered aerostat systems, each designed to provide elevated, persistent oversight of wide areas at low operational cost. While RT manufactures the balloon platforms themselves, the sensor and payload components (such as cameras, radar, communications gear) are typically purchased separately and integrated — allowing users to tailor the payload to mission needs, as long as the total weight stays within system limits.

Skystar 100 / 110 / 120

• Purpose: Compact and highly mobile micro-aerostat systems designed for short-range surveillance, reconnaissance, and communication tasks.
• Deployment & Use: These small systems can be transported easily (backpack, vehicle, or ATV), assembled and launched in a short time, and operated by minimal crew after brief training.
• Performance: They can reach altitudes around 1,500 ft (≈457 m) and carry light payloads, with flexibility to support multiple sensor types up to their weight limit.

Skystar 180

• Purpose: A tactical aerostat that offers persistent mid-range surveillance and reconnaissance.
• Key Features: Designed for rapid deployment from a towable trailer with low maintenance and operation costs. It provides stabilized payload control for a variety of mission sensors.
• Altitude & Use: Operates at heights up to ~1,000 ft and is suited for border security, perimeter monitoring, public safety, and military missions.

Skystar 330

• Purpose: A larger tactical aerostat capable of extended, higher-altitude missions with greater payload capacity.
• Performance: Reaches altitudes up to 1,500 ft (≈457 m) with a payload capacity up to 50 kg, enabling multiple sensors (e.g., communications, radar, electro-optical) to be carried simultaneously.
• Applications: Ideal for long-duration ISR, situational awareness, search & rescue, and communications relay tasks under diverse conditions.

SkyGuard (Large Aerostat Variant)

• Purpose: Developed through RT or its subsidiary, this zeppelin-style aerostat is designed to carry larger payloads (up to ~90 kg) and operate at higher altitudes (up to ~1,000 m), extending the capabilities of the core Skystar family for heavier or more demanding missions