Missing batteries among issues that caused Army's runaway blimp

LATIMES ^ | Feb. 14, 2016 | David Willman

[PROCON]

The blimp that broke loose from an Army facility in Maryland last fall, wreaking havoc with its milelong tether, flew uncontrolled for hours because someone neglected to put batteries in its automatic-deflation device, Pentagon investigators have found.

The pilotless, radar-carrying blimp was part of the troubled JLENS missile-defense system, which has failed to perform as promised while costing taxpayers more than $2.7 billion since 1998.

The runaway blimp episode was caused by a cascade of events spanning 13 hours, according to people familiar with the investigation, an overview provided to congressional staff members and a summary released by a military spokeswoman.

The six-sentence summary of the investigation said that "design, human, and procedural issues all contributed" to the mishap. Pentagon officials declined to release a copy of the investigative report.

[PROCON]

Ooops.

The day before..

Soldier 1: "Did you replace those batteries?"

Soldier 2: "No, I thought you replaced them."

Soldier 1: "OK, don't worry, we'll replace them tomorrow."

[Texas Eagle]

Soldier 3: “We’re still using blimps?”

[dfwgator]

Obama’s Army in a Nutshell.

[Quick Shot]

Soldier 3: “We’re still using blimps?”

Soldier 4: “Dirigibles no, blimps yes”

[nascarnation]

[PROCON]

Well, even years ago when I was in there were SNAFU's.

Not multi-billion dollar ones, though.

[PROCON]

That’ll buff out.

[PIF]

Soldier 4: “We have to use blimps because this year’s budget is going towards more needed social experiments and global warming awareness campaigns.”

[Texas Eagle]

Soldier 3: “I thought that was HHS’s and NOAA’s job.”

[Texas Eagle]

Soldier 3: “What’s the difference between a dirigible and a blimp?”

[RckyRaCoCo]

"...now it's gah-bage"

[PIF]

Soldier 4: “When Bernie is President, the blimps will be free for everyone!”

[Lx]

Was there a note from M&M Enterprises?

[spokeshave]

Soldierette 5....I used the spare batteries in my handy dandy sex toy.

[Leaning Right]

Soldier 5: Remember that PFC that was here a couple of days ago, delivering a package? Let’s blame him for all this.

[Herosmith]

Ooops.
The day before..

Soldier 1: “Did you replace those batteries?”

Soldier 2: “No, I thought you replaced them.”

Soldier 1: “OK, don’t worry, we’ll replace them tomorrow.”

Soldier 2: “Let’s go to bed.”

[cyclotic]

I live in sight of these aerostats. A local volunteer fire department tweeted to call them if you’ve seen a large white blimp go flying by your house.

A friend of mine knows some of the PA Troopers who got to shoot it down.

[Flick Lives]

The pilotless, radar-carrying blimp was part of the troubled JLENS missile-defense system, which has failed to perform as promised while costing taxpayers more than $2.7 billion since 1998.

$2.7 billion. Batteries not included.

[Kirkwood]

Soldier 6: “I don't have time to replace batteries. I need to fill out these sexual harassment forms.”

[Calvin Locke]

During WWII, the Navy, near SF, had one lose its crew of two on coastal patrol.

It came back over land, with its depth charge still attached.