The Army's Latest

[scoober78]

The fact that they launched this at Joint Base Dix-McGuire-Lakehurst cracks me up...not sure it's quite the history you're looking for there guys...

http://security.blogs.cnn.com/2012/08/10/armys-all-seeing-super-blimp-makes-debut-flight/?hpt=hp_c2

 

[usmarinemike]

What altitude do you suppose this guy hangs out at? I get that it's all about the sensors, but it's not very, eh...tactical.

 

[MasterBates]

It's a blimp. I can fly it!

Sent from my PH44100 using Tapatalk 2

 

[KBayDog]

The fact that they launched this at Joint Base Dix-McGuire-Lakehurst cracks me up...not sure it's quite the history you're looking for there guys...

True, they should have launched it at Santa Ana...or Tillamook...or Glynco...or Weeksville...or South Weymouth...or Richmond...or Houma...or Hitchcock...

(I guess they could have used Moffett )

 

[scoolbubba]

Oh the huge manatee!

 

[Stearmann4]

Un-manned...that's a bummer, I'd fly that thing!

MR-

 

[Brett327]

Those aerostat balloons are all over Afghanistan, as many of you know. Pretty smart concept for organic ISR, if you ask me.

 

[707guy]

Oh the huge manatee!

MB's ex?

 

[Uncle Fester]

As usual, the article comments do not disappoint.

A couple of the Grumman WSOs they have working on this thing came to our survival training last year. It was pretty hush-hush then.

 

[ryan1234]

That's one huge target

 

[jtmedli]

517M for 3 of them? Maybe I'm missing the 'cost-effective' play here...

 

[Flugelman]

That's one huge target

Frank Luke would make short work of it...

 

[Lawman]

Those aerostat balloons are all over Afghanistan, as many of you know. Pretty smart concept for organic ISR, if you ask me.

Id like to see it taken a step further with those.

If they could put a PIM/PRF coded laser on the thing and actually work out a plan to guide weapons like the DAGR guided rocket they would effectively close a very large portion of area surrounding FOBs and COPs.

 

[Treetop Flyer]

How long would it take to fly one of those to Afghanistan?

 

[Jim123]

How long would it take to fly one of those to Afghanistan?

If the headwinds got bad enough... then who knows!