A specialized team of soldiers assigned to the Multi-Domain Command – Europe conducted a week of high-altitude balloon launches in Poland during Exercise Cold Raptor to test emerging detection capabilities, according to the U.S. Department of War. The training supported NATO's Eastern Flank Deterrence Initiative, a regional initiative that integrates emerging technologies to strengthen readiness along NATO's eastern flank.
The Extended Range Sensing and Effects Company conducted more than 50 micro-high-altitude balloon launches over the past year, with many team members qualified as satellite communication systems operator-maintainers. The exercise tested the team's ability to operate from decentralized locations while maintaining communications. Army Sgt. Eric Atwater Jr., a signal sergeant, explained the objective: "The purpose of Cold Raptor was to see how our launch team and our pilot team can operate from decentralized points. We wanted to maintain communications while balloons go up in one location, while the flight trajectory is managed and monitored by another team off-site."
During Cold Raptor, some balloons ascended to altitudes between 60,000 and 70,000 feet — approximately 18,300 to 21,400 meters — while carrying experimental payloads designed to extend communications and improve domain awareness. The team had to account for changing weather conditions while meeting strict aviation schedules, requiring quick troubleshooting when technical issues arose.
The exercise took place at Powidz, Poland, and required coordination with Polish authorities to meet host nation airspace requirements. Polish partner forces received hands-on demonstrations of the equipment and launch process, allowing them to see the technology and build a shared understanding of the capability.
The lessons learned contribute to the broader Eastern Flank Deterrence Initiative, which aims to strengthen deterrence along NATO's eastern flank through distributed capabilities operating across domains and nations. Army Brig. Gen. Steven P. Carpenter, commanding general of Multi-Domain Command – Europe, said experimentation with emerging technologies supports this mission: "Experimentation with emerging technologies allows us to better understand the operational environment, refine how we integrate capabilities across domains and strengthen our ability to deter aggression alongside our NATO allies."