LTAS receives order for more military aerostats 26 (UPI) -- Lighter Than Air Systems Corp. (LTAS) is supplying five custom aerostats to support U.S. military forces in active overseas operations. The order, the value of which was not revealed, came from Universal Solutions International in support of the U.S. Army Rapid Equipping Force (REF). The lighter-than-air aerostats, with related components, will be shipped directly in stages to deployed troops beginning at the end of next month, the company said. "We are excited by the follow-on order from REF and the opportunity to provide the Army with critical aerostat systems and components to immediately support our troops in sensitive ongoing operations," said Glenn D. Estrella, president and chief executive officer of World Surveillance Group, Lighter Than Air System's parent company. We will work diligently to prepare the aerostat systems for prompt delivery and deployment. The LTAS aerostat systems requested by the REF were custom-designed for specific military requirements. The systems include aerostats, winches, tank racks and related support equipment. Under an earlier order, the company delivered seven custom-engineered, critical aerostat launcher main winches and spare components. World Surveillance Group designs, develops, markets and sells autonomous, lighter-than-air advanced aerostats for intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance operations, as well as for security and/or wireless communications solutions at low- and mid-altitudes.