U.S. Army Weighs Blimp Fleet for Iraq

[On the Road]

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Army is researching the prospect of deploying airships to Iraq, both for surveillance as well as for troop transport.

Officials said the army has been briefed on the use of airships equipped with sensors that could provide continuous surveillance over insurgency strongholds in Iraq. The airships would ensure real-time information on insurgency threats to army commands and ease the burden on the Army's unmanned aerial vehicle fleet..

"The capability of an airship would be much greater than that of a tactical UAV," an official said. "We could be provided with a comprehensive situational awareness picture before patrols and other missions."

---snip

Another company, Blackwater USA, has presented a concept for a 120-foot airship packed with infrared sensors, CCD cameras and meant to provide reconnaissance for up to four days at a time. Executives said the 120-foot airship would be ready by the end of 2006.

http://www.worldtribune.com/worldtribune/06/front2453879.073611111.html

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Hadn't seen this posted. Take it with a grain of salt if you like, but I couldn't resist.

While I love airships, this does not seem to be a particularly good idea. "Sitting duck" is the term that comes to mind.

[MADem]

1. AAGGGH!!! Doesn't this sound like it should be filed next to a BATBOY

story????

How STOOOOOOOOOPID!!!

Dee dee dee!!!!

[thereismore]

2. and who is going to pay for this shit? nt

[OneBlueSky]

3. my, what attractive targets those things would make . . .

big, fat, slow, and flying low . . . you could probably take them out with rifle fire . . .

[Generic Other]

4. Even a nearsighted kid with a slingshot could hit a blimp

Maybe they could use lawn chairs and helium ballons as well??

[Gidney N Cloyd]

5. But consider the advertising revenue potential.

Buy Goodyear or We'll Call In An Air Strike.

[walldude]

6. You gotta be fucking kidding me...

does the word HINDENBURG ring a bell? Christ, Rummy laughs off a question about why soldiers have out of date, busted, equipment, if they get what they need at all, and the DOD is spending billions on submarines that fire Marines out of the torpedo tubes(detailed in Armed Madhouse by Greg Palast) and now they want to build Zeppelins. I give up.

[Ravenseye]

8. I'm assuming they'd use Helium instead of Hydrogen

So it wouldn't just incinerate in the air. Also I'd assume they'd be up pretty high and have a low heat signature. Taking one down would require some hefty anti-air hardware, and even then, those balloons can be so compartmentalized that they could propbably take a direct hit or two, and still fly.

Just sayin...It's totally fucked up, but the scary part is that it's doable.

[Generic Other]

13. What? You can shoot a blimp and it would still fly?

I would prefer to have more between me and those shoulder-held rockets insurgents like than a glorified balloon filled with Bush hot air. Holy crap!

[Ravenseye]

7. Awesome! They could pay for it in advertising on the side for tires!

:sarcasm:

This totally reminds me of something out of a sci fi movie with an oppresive government...can't put my finger on it though...

[lpbk2713]

9. NSA wants to use the opportunity to field test them.

Soon to be deployed in DUers neighborhoods.

Those black helicopters and the Suburbans with the tinted glass are getting to be expensive. :eyes: :eyes:

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

10. And, next, mule trains and muskets.

They really are getting desperate.

The "World's Mightiest Military" is doing a terrific job of proving it's total incompetance at fighting a guerilla war...again.

[lectrobyte]

12. There's probably a role that blimps can play as UAV's. Kind of odd

that Blackwater is the contractor for these things though.

[WoodrowFan]

11. so Rush is going to Iraq?

sorry, couldn't resist...