it’s all about air-superiority ... hence ... build more raptors ...
My father and uncle were airship pilots in the early 1960s. They’re some of the youngest (in their mid-70s) members of the Navy’s “Lighter Than Air Association.” I’ll send them this information; they’ll get a chuckle out of it.
I remember when we were confident the U-2 could not be shot down .
Nice fat target for a SAM.
$170 million apiece!!! Will it ever be worth it?
Isn’t surveillance and reconnaissance the reason for military satellites?
I also think the working altitude of these craft is much too low. I’ll bet dollars to donuts that the Afghans can shoot ‘em down.
In 1862 or 1863, the first time. JFC, it's been 150 years. Barrage balloons work. Observation balloons work, although you don't have to know morse code anymore.
They work. Quit with the studies.
/johnny
Kind of off topic, but I sometimes wonder if it would be possible to rebuild The Hindenberg with modern materials and helium, and use it as a luxury touring vehicle. It’s probably commercially impossible, but it would be immensely cool.
Very cool. I read they used balloons in the civil war.
I wouldn’t be worried about getting shot down. First, achmed would have to use a radar, or be one hell of a shot (somebody please enlighten me on how the Stinger locks on, but I bet its ‘active’ and easy to spot). Second, why on earth are we to believe that the story lists the correct ceiling. I remember something as small fry as our four deuce mortars had their range ‘unlisted’...surely we don’t give out accurate info about aircraft capabilities.
When did Navy retire the last one? I remember that they were called s**tbags.
The airship could have been operational 2 years ago, but the EPA made the DOD redesign the porta-potties...to meet three week mission requirements..
Miltary aviation started with balloons and for the same reasons; What’s old is new again.
...92 mph (148 kph)... 302-foot (92-meter) airship...My goodness.