Blackwater aims high with unmanned aircraft

[cosmicdot]

Blackwater aims high with unmanned aircraft

November 23, 2007

By Jon W. Glass, The Virginian-Pilot

ELIZABETH CITY, N.C.

For nearly two years, Blackwater has been developing an airship to tap a growing government demand for aerial surveillance and security - from patrolling U.S. borders and coastal waters to guarding military bases in hostile lands.

Earlier this month, its efforts finally got off the ground.

Officials with Blackwater Airships, a business unit of the Moyock-based tactical training and security company, say they successfully field-tested a 170-foot prototype on the grounds of a former Navy air station here.

Called the Polar 400, the non rigid blimp is designed to be unmanned and remotely controlled from a ground station. It would carry aloft such payloads as intelligence-gathering cameras, radar, communications gear and infrared sensors.

~snip~

http://content.hamptonroads.com/story.cfm?story=137425&ran=118008&tref=po

photos at link

wondering how they got access to 'the grounds of a former Navy air station'; and, if they're paying for its use??

[KansDem]

1. WTF? It even has their corporate logo on it!

"What's that up in the sky?! It's a bird! It's a plane! IT'S...BLACKWATER!!!"

<Cue 1950s "happy" music> That's right, Johnny! It's Blackwater! Making sure you and your family are safe!" "Does that include my big sister, too?" "(laugh) Yes, Johnny, your big sister too!"

on edit:

Does that include my big sister, too?

[Squatch]

2. They also build MRAPs

[Disturbed]

3. 14 Iraqi families are suing Blackwater.

I guess that will take a few years to settle. In the meantime our Govt. is still giving this "Security" Corp. $Millions. Does America really need this sort of service?

[nightrider767]

4. No Problemo!

WHere's my pellet gun!