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Pentagon Prefers Blimps to $35M Spy Planes

By Neal Colgrass, Newser Staff

Posted Jun 5, 2009 7:34 PM CDT

(Newser) – Financially grounded by the recession, the Pentagon and governments around the world are launching blimps to spy on their enemies, the Economist reports. Such balloons cost far less than Predator and Global Hawk drones—which can sell for $35 million each—and stay airborne for more than a week, while drones last about 30 hours. Blimps are also hard to shoot down, even when they are hit.

Blimps' helium gas is not flammable, for one thing, and the pressure inside a blimp is about the same as in the air—so gas doesn't quickly flow out. Blimps also suit Secretary of Defense Robert Gates, who said he wants "75% solutions" enacted in weeks or months, not "exquisite systems” that take years. What's more, "insatiable" US ground forces in Iraq and Afghanistan hunger for aerial data that the Air Force has failed to provide, one analyst said.

Blimps are an increasingly popular, and cost-effective, means of spying from the air. (Shutterstock)

An Israeli army observation balloon flies over a mosque in the West Bank. (Getty Images)

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Focus to be on training, special missions, not policing

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But American, NATO troops will still have 'robust' advisory role

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OTHER STORIES ON OUR RADAR

Pentagon • US military • Iraq war • Afghanistan war • spy drones

MOST POPULAR STORIES

[ By Views ]

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More Newser Stories

Pentagon Opens More Jobs to Women

Females will still not be able to serve as infantry, however: sources

Pentagon Weighs Syria Options

Arming rebels not being considered 'right now'

US Eyes Switch to Special Ops in Afghanistan

Focus to be on training, special missions, not policing

Panetta: US Combat Role in Afghanistan Over in 2013

But American, NATO troops will still have 'robust' advisory role

Hatred Fueling Afghan Army Attacks on Allied Troops

Mutual contempt behind most attacks on NATO troops from within: report

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Newser By Users

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