RT
RT (RT LTA Systems) is an Israeli designer, developer, and manufacturer of the SkyStar family of tethered aerostats delivering persistent aerial intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition, and reconnaissance (ISTAR) capability to military, law enforcement, homeland security, and civil government customers globally.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2011
- HeadquartersYavne, Israel
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What RT does
RT LTA Systems LTD is a privately-held Israeli company headquartered in Yavne that designs, develops, and manufactures the SkyStar family of tethered aerostats (helium-filled balloon systems) for intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition, and reconnaissance (ISTAR) applications. The company's product portfolio spans micro-tactical systems (SkyStar 100, 110, 120), standard tactical systems (SkyStar 180, 220), medium systems (SkyStar 250), and heavy-lift platforms (SkyStar 330, 400), plus the civil-oriented Crow1 and the large SkyGuard1 produced through its wholly-owned subsidiary Aero-T. Each system integrates a ground control station, tether with power/data cable, and stabilized electro-optical sensor payloads operating at altitudes up to 1,500 feet AGL with 72-hour endurance and wind tolerance up to 40 knots; notable proprietary technology includes a self-developed bladder material enabling week-long continuous flight with reduced helium leakage and a patented winch for the SkyStar 100.
RT's customer base comprises military forces, law enforcement agencies, homeland security bodies, and civil government operators across Israel, the US, UK, Japan, Australia, France, Greece, Brazil, Colombia, Chile, Mexico, Burkina Faso, Uganda, and other markets — with documented deployments at high-visibility events including the Tokyo Olympics, Eurovision 2019, FIFA World Cup Brazil 2014, and various Israeli national events. The company sells directly to government and defense customers through defense procurement processes, field sales, and active participation in roughly a dozen international defense exhibitions annually (IDEX, DSEI, Eurosatory, AUSA, LAAD, DEFEA, SEECAT, among others). Revenue mechanics combine one-time hardware sales of complete SkyStar aerostat systems (quote-based, multi-year contracts), pay-by-the-hour leasing introduced in Australia, and operation training services; pricing is not publicly disclosed and contracts are concentrated in government and military buyers.
RT firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- RT
- Legal name
- RT LTA Systems LTD
- Website
- https://rtaerostat.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2011
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- RT (RT LTA Systems) is an Israeli designer, developer, and manufacturer of the SkyStar family of tethered aerostats delivering persistent aerial intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition, and reconnaissance (ISTAR) capability to military, law enforcement, homeland security, and civil government customers globally.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
RT industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Tactical Aerostat Systems
- NAICS
- Search, Detection, Navigation, Guidance, Aeronautical, and Nautical System and Instrument Manufacturing (334511)
- SIC
- Search, Detection, Navagation, Guidance, Aeronautical Sys (3812), Aircraft (3721)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Radar Systems & Subsystems (Airborne, Ground, Naval) (IMABAGAA)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Avionics Communication Systems (VHF/UHF/SATCOM/Data Link) (IMABAFAG)
Keywords
Where RT is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Yavne
- HQ country
- Israel
- HQ region
- Middle East
Offices1 record
Markets served
RT business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Personnel, Supply Chain, Technology or R&D, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Aerostat System Sales: Sale of complete SkyStar aerostat systems including aerostats, ground control stations, ground system modules, tethers, and payloads to military, government, and law enforcement customers. Systems include SkyStar 100, 110, 180, 250, 330, 400, SkyGuard 1, and Crow1.
- Aerostat Leasing: Pay-by-the-hour leasing model for aerostat systems. Available in certain markets including Australia.
- System Training and Support: Operation training services for customers including police and military personnel. Training completed for UK clients, South East Asian police, and Chile operations.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| One time/ perpetual license | Multi-year contract | Aerostat system sales - full system purchase |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels2 records
Marketing channels5 records
RT product offering
Product offeringCore offering
RT designs, develops, and manufactures the SkyStar family of tethered aerostat systems (helium-filled balloons with stabilized electro-optical sensor payloads) for intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition, reconnaissance (ISTAR), and communications relay. The portfolio spans micro-tactical (SkyStar 100/110/120), standard tactical (SkyStar 180/220), medium (SkyStar 250), and heavy-lift (SkyStar 330/400) platforms, plus the civil-model Crow1 for critical infrastructure protection and the large SkyGuard 1 developed through subsidiary Aero-T. Systems are sold to military, homeland security, and law enforcement customers globally with optional leasing and training services.
Product overview
RT is a world-class designer, developer, and manufacturer of the SkyStar family of aerostats for intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance, and communications applications. The product portfolio centers on tethered balloon systems including micro-tactical systems (SkyStar 100, 110, 120), standard tactical systems (SkyStar 180, 220), medium systems (SkyStar 250), and heavy-lift systems (SkyStar 330, 400). The company also offers the civil-model Crow1 and the large SkyGuard1 through its Aero-T subsidiary. All systems are self-contained, easily transportable, and provide continuous aerial support for military, homeland security, and law enforcement operations.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- SkyStar 100 Micro-Tactical Aerostat Micro-tactical aerostat system with a patented winch. Designed for portable, rapidly deployable surveillance operations for military forces in challenging terrain.
- SkyStar 110 Micro-Tactical Aerostat Patented micro-aerostat specifically designed for military forces in challenging terrain. Compact and highly mobile for portable, rapidly deployable surveillance operations.
- SkyStar 120 Micro Aerostat Micro aerostat specifically designed to support military forces operating in challenging terrain. Adds to RT's micro-tactical product line.
- SkyStar 180 Tactical Aerostat Most deployed tactical aerostat system in the SkyStar family. Widely used for military operations, law enforcement, public safety, event security, and crowd control. Features HD payload capability for high resolution video transmission to ground command units and is the basis for the civil Crow1 variant.
- SkyStar 220 Tactical Aerostat
Quantifiable outcome
- 72 hours continuous operation with 20-minute turnaround
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use RT
Customer profileNamed customers12 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles5 records
RT technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
AI capability2 records
Feature8 records
RT partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Five partnerships are on record, tiered core, minor and moderate.
- ContropcoreTechnology partnership for camera payloads. RT launched new SkyStar 180 system with improved Controp's camera. Controp is a manufacturer of electro-optical payloads. Cooperation during Protective Edge operation with Controp payloads for 24/7 monitoring.
- Aero-T (Subsidiary)coreAero-T is RT's subsidiary that completed development and production of SkyGuard 1 large aerostat system. SkyGuard 1 can carry payloads up to 90kg and reach altitudes of 1,000 meters. Aero-T presented at Defexpo India alongside RT's SkyStar family.
- TEEX Texas A&M UniversityminorRT participated in fire testing and exercises operated by TEEX A&M University in Texas. Demonstrated at TEEX Open House in Disaster City development center. Participated in International Urban Search & Rescue Exercise.
- ESS Project (European Defence Agency)moderateESS (European Security Systems) Project demonstrating SkyStar 180 and 300 systems at multiple locations in France including Sisteron, Nimes, and Sospel for European security testing.
- FrontexminorSkyStar 180 system demonstrated at Frontex Conference in Finland. Frontex is the European Border and Coast Guard Agency.
Scale indicators5 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
RT competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Thales Group: Thales supplies airborne surveillance radars, ground-control ISR systems, and border-security solutions to European and global defense customers — broadly comparable to RT's airborne ISR proposition at much larger scale.
- Leonardo S.p.A. Leonardo offers airborne surveillance radars, border/maritime security systems, and integrated ISR solutions to NATO and EU customers — comparable end-user proposition to RT in European border and event security.
- L3Harris Technologies: L3Harris provides integrated ISR, surveillance, and tactical communications systems (including aerostat-related programs) to US and allied militaries — comparable in mission (persistent ISR) and customer set.
- Elbit Systems: Elbit Systems is a major Israeli defense electronics house offering UAVs, ISR payloads, and electro-optical systems — competing with RT for surveillance and tactical ISR budgets among allied militaries and homeland security agencies.
- Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) / ELTA Systems: IAI's ELTA Systems division produces airborne radar, EW, and ISR systems (including aerostat-mounted sensors) for military customers globally — overlapping with RT's sensor-payload integration role while serving as a much broader Israeli defense prime.
- Lockheed Martin (Aerostats & ISR): Lockheed Martin produces the TARS (Tethered Aerostat Radar System) and broader airborne ISR solutions for the US DoD and allies — a much larger incumbent offering aerostat-based persistent surveillance.
Others
- Controp Precision Technologies: Controp is an Israeli electro-optical payload manufacturer that supplies stabilized cameras integrated onto RT's SkyStar aerostats — a technology partner and adjacent supplier within the same airborne ISR ecosystem.
Direct peers
- TCOM: TCOM is a US-based manufacturer of tethered aerostat systems for military and commercial surveillance — directly comparable to RT in lighter-than-air ISR platforms, payload integration, and defense customer base.
- Raven Aerostar: Raven Aerostar (formerly part of Raven Industries) designs and manufactures stratospheric and tactical aerostats for defense and research customers — a direct competitor to RT in tethered aerostat ISR platforms.
Emerging players
- Aero-Vironment: AeroVironment supplies small tactical UAS for military ISR — overlapping with RT's mission (tactical ISR) but as an alternative technology (free-flight UAVs vs. tethered aerostats), increasingly competing for the same defense procurement dollars.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
RT social profiles
Digital presenceRT financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
RT leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
RT subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries1 record
RT funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
RT M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about RT
What does RT do?
RT designs, develops, and manufactures the SkyStar family of tethered aerostat systems (helium-filled balloons with stabilized electro-optical sensor payloads) for intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition, reconnaissance (ISTAR), and communications relay. The portfolio spans micro-tactical (SkyStar 100/110/120), standard tactical (SkyStar 180/220), medium (SkyStar 250), and heavy-lift (SkyStar 330/400) platforms, plus the civil-model Crow1 for critical infrastructure protection and the large SkyGuard 1 developed through subsidiary Aero-T. Systems are sold to military, homeland security, and law enforcement customers globally with optional leasing and training services.
Is RT a public or private company?
RT is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was RT founded?
RT was founded in 2011. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is RT based?
RT is headquartered in Yavne, Israel, in the Middle East region.
How does RT make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Aerostat System Sales are the primary driver. The others are aerostat Leasing and system Training and Support.
Who are RT's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Thales Group, Leonardo S.p.A., L3Harris Technologies, Elbit Systems, Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) / ELTA Systems and Lockheed Martin (Aerostats & ISR). Controp Precision Technologies is listed as an others. Direct peers are TCOM and Raven Aerostar. Aero-Vironment is listed as an emerging player.
Does RT have an API?
No public API is recorded for RT.
What industry is RT in?
RT's product category is Tactical Aerostat Systems. Its primary akta.pro industry code is IMABAGAA, Radar Systems & Subsystems (Airborne, Ground, Naval), with a secondary code of IMABAFAG, Avionics Communication Systems (VHF/UHF/SATCOM/Data Link). Its NAICS code is 334511 and its SIC code is 3812.