PARIS, June 26, 2026 — French aerospace company Hemeria, in partnership with Safran Electronics & Defense, has unveiled an artificial intelligence-enabled version of its BalMan stratospheric balloon for electronic warfare (EW) and electromagnetic intelligence (ELINT) missions. The announcement follows the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) during the Eurosatory 2026 defense exhibition in Paris earlier this month.
The partnership combines Hemeria's high-altitude balloon technology with artificial intelligence developed by Safran.AI, a subsidiary of Safran Electronics & Defense. The system is designed to detect, identify, and analyze electromagnetic emissions across land, air, and maritime domains while providing armed forces with persistent high-altitude intelligence and electronic warfare capabilities.
BalMan Designed for Persistent High-Altitude Missions
The BalMan (Ballon Manoeuvrant) was originally developed under the French government's France Relance program with support from the French Space Agency (CNES). The platform completed its maiden flight from the Guiana Space Centre in French Guiana in October 2024 after being selected in 2021 for the development of maneuverable stratospheric balloons.
Unlike conventional zero-pressure balloons that drift with prevailing winds, BalMan is a steerable super-pressure balloon equipped with an internal ballonet. Using an outward compressor, it adjusts its altitude by taking in or venting air, allowing it to move between different wind layers and navigate toward designated areas while remaining over a target location for extended periods.
The balloon operates at altitudes between 16 and 22 kilometers (approximately 52,000 to 72,000 feet), with typical missions conducted around 18 to 20 kilometers. Hemeria's larger zero-pressure balloons can carry payloads of up to 2,000 kilograms at altitudes reaching 45 kilometers, while the maneuverable BalMan is optimized to carry specialized payloads of approximately 50 kilograms for intelligence and electronic warfare missions. Depending on the mission profile, the system can remain airborne from several hours to multiple days.
AI Integration for Electronic Warfare and ELINT
Under the partnership, Safran.AI will provide artificial intelligence models that automate the fusion of data collected from multiple sensors and information sources. The AI enables near real-time detection, identification, and analysis of radar emissions, communication signals, and other electromagnetic activity.
Operating in the stratosphere gives the platform a wider observation range and allows it to collect cleaner electromagnetic data with less interference than lower-altitude systems. This improves the quality of intelligence while reducing operator workload through automated signal analysis.
Nicolas Multan, President of Hemeria, said combining the company's balloon platform with Safran.AI's technology provides an effective solution for demanding operational requirements in high-altitude environments.
François Bourrier-Soifer, Deputy CEO of Safran.AI, said the stratosphere has become an increasingly important operational domain where persistent platforms and AI-driven data fusion can provide faster and more accurate situational awareness.
Growing Role of Stratospheric Balloons
High-altitude balloons are increasingly being used as a cost-effective complement to satellites and surveillance aircraft for intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) missions. Their long endurance and ability to remain over an area for extended periods make them suitable for monitoring radar systems, communications networks, and other electromagnetic activity.
Beyond defense applications, Hemeria's stratospheric balloons continue to support scientific research, Earth observation, climate studies, communications, and technology testing. The introduction of the EW and ELINT variant reflects growing demand for persistent, unmanned high-altitude platforms capable of operating in contested electromagnetic environments while complementing existing satellite and airborne intelligence assets.
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