Overview
- U.S. Army’s Multi-Domain Command – Europe launched a micro high-altitude balloon from Sweden with recovery planned in Latvia after roughly 24 to 30 hours at about 60,000 to 70,000 feet.
- Swedish and Latvian authorities cleared and tracked the flight in approved airspace to maintain safety and transparency.
- The exercise evaluates compact sensors and radio links to see how a low-cost balloon can move data and extend communications across the theater.
- Army leaders say the trial supports the Eastern Flank Deterrence Initiative by adding a long-endurance node that rides high winds above most air defenses.
- The Sweden-to-Latvia path ties a new NATO member to the alliance’s eastern flank in a visible step toward tighter day-to-day integration.