Gallery: The Blimps of War

Feuer Frei! · 08-01-11, 09:21 AM

For seven decades, they were a curiosity, a relic of a lighter-than-air future that never quite came true. But in recent years, airships have once again become a major force in aviation. The Pentagon has gone especially blimp-crazy, pouring hundreds of millions of dollars into advanced -- and massive -- surveillance airships that can stay in the sky way longer than any drone. Here are some of the new Blimps of War.

SOURCE

Task Force · 08-01-11, 10:35 AM

See, the zeppelin is far superior!

Raptor1 · 08-01-11, 10:57 AM

Airships going back into widespread use would be awesome, even if they are blimps instead of proper Zeppelins.

HunterICX · 08-01-11, 11:10 AM

HunterICX

Anthony W. · 08-01-11, 11:19 AM

I think the major benefit here is that they can act sort of like satellites, only not as expensive.

They can stay up at the very edge of the atmosphere for very long times - and they can change locations at a given notice - not like spy satellites with camera arrays in geostationary orbit.

I think it'd be an interesting platform to mount anti ballistic missile systems on.

Photo from my post that I left out...

Jimbuna · 08-01-11, 04:23 PM

Simply copying off GWX

Platapus · 08-01-11, 05:17 PM

For persistent access over non-denied areas, you can't beat an aerostat.

Blimps are awesome, but a good aerostat is also good.

Torvald Von Mansee · 08-02-11, 12:29 AM

Were I fabulously wealthy, I would live in a zeppelin. My life would be like living inside of a Miyazaki movie!!!

And for no particular reason, I find this amusing and to be added to my post:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cargolifter_AG

08-01-11, 09:21 AM	#1
Feuer Frei! Navy Seal Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Valhalla Posts: 5,295 Downloads: 141 Uploads: 17	Gallery: The Blimps of War For seven decades, they were a curiosity, a relic of a lighter-than-air future that never quite came true. But in recent years, airships have once again become a major force in aviation. The Pentagon has gone especially blimp-crazy, pouring hundreds of millions of dollars into advanced -- and massive -- surveillance airships that can stay in the sky way longer than any drone. Here are some of the new Blimps of War. SOURCE __________________ "History is the lies that the victors agree on"- Napoleon LINK TO MY SH 3 MODS

08-01-11, 10:35 AM	#2
Task Force Rear Admiral Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: SPACE!!!! Posts: 10,142 Downloads: 85 Uploads: 0	See, the zeppelin is far superior! __________________ Task Force industries "Taking control of the world, one mind at a time"

08-01-11, 10:57 AM	#3
Raptor1 Navy Seal Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Stavka Posts: 8,211 Downloads: 13 Uploads: 0	Airships going back into widespread use would be awesome, even if they are blimps instead of proper Zeppelins. __________________ Current Eastern Front status: Probable Victory

08-01-11, 11:10 AM	#4
HunterICX Rear Admiral Join Date: May 2006 Location: Malaga, España Posts: 10,750 Downloads: 8 Uploads: 0	<Insert mandatory Crimson Skies reference here> HunterICX __________________

08-01-11, 11:19 AM	#5
Anthony W. Grey Wolf Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Central Indiana Posts: 850 Downloads: 130 Uploads: 0	I think the major benefit here is that they can act sort of like satellites, only not as expensive. They can stay up at the very edge of the atmosphere for very long times - and they can change locations at a given notice - not like spy satellites with camera arrays in geostationary orbit. I think it'd be an interesting platform to mount anti ballistic missile systems on. Photo from my post that I left out... __________________ Sunken Mustangs Proud Ford Mustang owner "Damn the torpedoes! Full speed ahead!" - Admiral David Farragut Run silent - run deep - keep the baffles clear - targets front and center. Private pilot and history buff

08-01-11, 04:23 PM	#6
Jimbuna Chief of the Boat Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: 250 metres below the surface Posts: 190,584 Downloads: 63 Uploads: 13	Simply copying off GWX __________________ Wise men speak because they have something to say; Fools because they have to say something. Oh my God, not again!!

08-01-11, 05:17 PM	#7
Platapus Fleet Admiral Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 19,375 Downloads: 63 Uploads: 0	For persistent access over non-denied areas, you can't beat an aerostat. Blimps are awesome, but a good aerostat is also good. __________________ abusus non tollit usum - A right should NOT be withheld from people on the basis that some tend to abuse that right.

08-02-11, 12:29 AM	#8
Torvald Von Mansee Sea Lord Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: CA4528 Posts: 1,693 Downloads: 3 Uploads: 0	Were I fabulously wealthy, I would live in a zeppelin. My life would be like living inside of a Miyazaki movie!!! And for no particular reason, I find this amusing and to be added to my post: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cargolifter_AG __________________ "You may not be interested in war, but war is interested in you" - Leon Trotsky