MOSCOW. July 6 (Interfax-AVN) - The Moscow-based Avgur aeronautical company is exporting Puma fixed balloons with a gas-bag volume of 12,000 cubic meters, used for carrying radars, Avgur technical manager Vadim Timoshenko told Interfax-AVN.
"We have exported a total of ten Puma balloons," Timoshenko said without naming the foreign customer.
The Puma fixed balloon is capable of remaining at an altitude of 3,000-3,800 m for up to 45 days. The radar mounted on the Puma balloon can detect a cruise missile at a range of 115-130 km.
The Puma balloon has almost no radar signature, with only its payload having a radar cross-section.
The Puma has a payload capacity of 1,800 kg and an anti-lightning system. The balloon is designed to operate at a ground wind speed of up to 20 m/s, and a wind speed of up to 30-35 m/s at high altitudes.
The Puma gas-bag weighs 1,600-1,700 kg. It is produced from foreign materials, since Russia does not manufacture any of the components necessary for the gas-bag.
According to unofficial sources, China is one of the foreign customers, procuring Puma balloons.