Yes, Virginia, there is a blimp in Navy inventory....and it's heading to Mobile to assist in the Gulf Oilspill recovery efforts.
100706-N-XXXXX-001 Navy Hand Out File Photo (Undated) of the MZ-3A manned airship, Advanced Airship Flying Laboratory, derived from the commercial A-170 series blimp. The Navy airship is a high endurance low fuel alternative to fixed wing or rotary aircraft. providing extreme utility in airborne patrol missions where endurance and communications capabilities are required. (U.S. Navy/Released)
![web_100706-N-XXXXX-001.jpg](/community/proxy.php?image=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.navy.mil%2Fmanagement%2Fphotodb%2Fwebphoto%2Fweb_100706-N-XXXXX-001.jpg&hash=c975db81408d99dffe7f1f12a93892d2)
100706-N-XXXXX-001 Navy Hand Out File Photo (Undated) of the MZ-3A manned airship, Advanced Airship Flying Laboratory, derived from the commercial A-170 series blimp. The Navy airship is a high endurance low fuel alternative to fixed wing or rotary aircraft. providing extreme utility in airborne patrol missions where endurance and communications capabilities are required. (U.S. Navy/Released)