US NAVY BLIMP - 1st in 40+ years

[Tom_Turner]

I was out covering Fleet Week, and noticed an American Blimp Corp airship flying around the city. While this is simply off-the-shelf technology that the Navy purchased, it represented the 1st NAVY lighter-than-air project in over 40 years.

The idea being if that NAVY were to get back into Lighter-than-air (or similar) projects, enlisted personnell would have to learn how to handle and fly one again.

Untitled, it flew over the harbor for a couple of days after months of testing at Lakehurst.

Of course the military budget is problematic for such projects and word is the blimp was abruptly called back to Lakehurst DURING fleet week and the program brought to an end.

Here are a couple of pictures I was able to take...

http://myaviation.net/search/photo_sear ... size=large (http://myaviation.net/search/photo_search.php?id=01074982&size=large)

http://myaviation.net/search/photo_sear ... size=large (http://myaviation.net/search/photo_search.php?id=01074984&size=large)

Tom

[nwafan20]

I just don't get why they would need a blimp...

[Tom_Turner]

I just don't get why they would need a blimp...

Yes, they certainly *don't* need a blimp like this I wouldn't think.. however there are a number of high tech lighter than air (and similar) projects in the works being considered by the US Govt and military for various applications [high altitude (un manned strategic spy and laser platforms, heavy lift capability, and troop transports], and (I suppose) the thinking was to get familiar with handling these airships again. Though the similarities of whats being considered and advertising blimp "technology" (not revolutionary by any stretch of the imagination) was/is problematic.

Tom

[Matt Molnar]

Nice, Tom. I got some good shots of her too from the opening day event, I just haven't gotten around to editing any of them. I think I'll finally have time later today.

[emshighway]

NYPD uses blimps for their surveillance over events.

[Matt Molnar]

NYPD uses blimps for their surveillance over events.
I remember NYPD were using a FujiFilm blimp for a few months.

[Gerard]

>I remember NYPD were using a FujiFilm blimp for a few months<

During the 2004 Republican Convention NYPD was using that Fuji blimp
for surveillance over the city. Cheaper to operate and stays airborne
longer than their copters. I believe it was stationed at Floyd Bennett
also using the large area near the boat ramp off Jamaica Bay.