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Pentagon Investing $1B in Spy Blimps

Two huge contracts are in the works

By dmhare, Newser User

Posted Nov 4, 2010 12:59 PM CDT | Promoted on Newser Nov 4, 2010 1:46 PM CDT

(User Submitted) – Between Northrop Grumman and Lockheed Martin, the US military will pay out nearly a billion dollars to get spy blimps in the air over tactical areas. Northrop (with a $517 million contract) is due to produce three seven-story blimps, each the length of a football field and able to stay in the air for three weeks, reports Wired.

Using the Army's drone-control system, they will be outfitted with 2,500 pounds of equipment designed to capture still and video images and transmit them and other intelligence information back to base. They are hybrids, flying on helium and propelled by diesel engines. Lockheed Martin, meanwhile, is producing a 15-story blimp for use by the Navy that will use laser radar to identify potential targets. It's got a $400 million contract. Click here for more details on both.

A file photo of a Navy blimp. The Pentagon has much bigger ones in the works. (AP)

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COMMENTS

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Showing 3 of 15 comments

laslow

Nov 6, 2010 1:28 PM CDT

LOL... Blimps.

Duckin' Frags-n-Brass

Nov 6, 2010 1:56 AM CDT

Great! Cheaper than Predators.. Now all that BIG BROTHER needs to do is sell advertising on them to hide them in front of the sheeople as simple floating bill boards to give an excuse to fly over YOUR house so they can use those fancy IR see through cameras and check in on anyone they feel in a threat to their precious NWO.

Colin

Nov 5, 2010 5:46 AM CDT

Wallymann, don't confuse them with the facts. They are comfortable in their bubble of misinformation.

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Pentagon Investing $1B in Spy Blimps

Two huge contracts are in the works

Pentagon • Northrop Grumman • Lockheed Martin • blimp • Defense Dept

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