Berkut high-altitude airship

The high altitude airship Berkut is a solar-powered, lighter-than-air system designed as a cost-effective alternative to geo-stationary satellites. It can serve as a communications and surveillance platform covering an area equivalent to more than 386,000 square miles (1 million sq km). Unlike satellites, the Berkut can be easily taken down for maintenance, modernization or to alter its payload.

The airship is capable of performing anti-terrorist and border surveillance missions,...