| Era | Description |
|---|---|
| Observation Balloon Era (1700s–1918) | Tethered balloons for battlefield surveillance |
| Airship Era (1900s–1930s) | Powered dirigibles for transport and patrol |
| Dormant Period (1930s–1980s) | Largely abandoned due to vulnerability |
| Modern Surveillance Aerostat Era (1980s–Present) | Persistent ISR platforms (radar, border, military) |