In Russia, the first launch of the unmanned stratospheric platform "Barrage-1" was announced, which is positioned as a much cheaper alternative to traditional satellite communication systems.
For reference: stratospheric platforms — these are devices, which operate at altitudes of approximately 20–40 km in the lower layers of the stratosphere. Such heights are beyond the capabilities of conventional aviation, but balloons can drift for a long time and stay over a certain area thanks to the prevailing winds, which allows you to keep them over a specific area or move them in a given direction.
Military expert, adviser to the Minister of Defense Serhiy "Flash" Beckrestnov, commenting on materials from Russian sources, noted, that the device was developed by the company "Aerodrommash" together with the Moscow State Technical University named after M. Well. Bauman. According to the developers, "Barrage-1" is capable of lifting up to 100 kg of payload at a height of up to 20 km and use a pneumatic ballast system to change flight altitude and use air currents.
According to the Russian side, "Barrage-1" can become a much cheaper alternative to clusters in low Earth orbit and be used for 5G NTN communication. Location of transmitters at height 20 km theoretically allows covering large areas without the need to build ground infrastructure.
According to Serhiy Beskrestnov, the technology of stratospheric platforms has as a civilian, and military application: in peacetime they could replace relay satellites and serve as a "flying" mobile base station for cellular networks; in a military context — for intelligence, relaying signals, adjusting fire and other tasks. Similar concepts have already been discussed before, particularly with regard to the use of stratospheric balloons
for military purposes.
In view of the above, Ukraine needs effective means of detecting and neutralizing such objects in the airspace. Theoretically, the S-300 can hit high-altitude targets 20-30 km, but in practice the result depends on the specific model of the complex and the circumstances of combat use. Currently, it is an experimental launch and further development of the topic needs official confirmation.
Source: https://mezha.net