‘Days of Unblinking Stare’: Army‘s ’Football-Field-Size’ Spy Blimp Makes First Flight in New Jersey
- Posted on August 8, 2012 at 6:01pm by
Liz Klimas
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(Image: Northrup Grumman)
After many delays, it appears the U.S. Army has finally put its Long-Endurance Multi-Intelligence Vehicle — a.k.a. a spy blimp — to the test. Just inside New Jersey‘s coast the blimp made under Northrup Grumman’s $154 million contract appeared to have been flown in plain view with at least one onlooker recording video.
(Related: U.S. Military Adds Surveillance Blimps to War on Terror Arsenal)
Aviation Week reports the 90-minute flight taking place Tuesday near Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst in Wrightstown, New Jersey. This video on YouTube (via Wired) is allegedly of the blimp’s flight. The description calls it a “football-field-size airship with surveillance gear designed to do the work of a dozen drones.“ The user ”jmeriney” writes that it was spotted over Patriots Park. Check it out:
“The first flight primary objective was to perform a safe launch and recovery with a secondary objective to verify the flight control system operation,” Army spokesman John Cummings said in a statement according to Wired. “Additional first flight objectives included airworthiness testing and demonstration, and system level performance verification.”
Here’s how Northrup Grumman describes the blimp:
We’ve developed a clean aerodynamic design with less drag than competing designs, use existing proven hull materials, a type certified engine, off-the-shelf sensors, and the Army’s Universal Ground Control Station with 100% interoperability with DCGS-A. We integrate ISR payloads most efficiently through our Murphy Bay on the vehicle centerline. Every design tradeoff was made with an unyielding commitment to schedule. Our open architecture and business model invites third parties to get onboard the aircraft with limited interference, weapon system, balanced by its elegant simplicity.
Wired has more on the delays surrounding the maiden voyage of the blimp:
The spy blimp’s inaugural sortie had been pushed back several times; turns out, combining a giant airship with satellite-based remote controls and the latest high-tech sensors is more difficult than Northrop thought it would be. When the Army cut the LEMV’s $500-million development check back in 2010, the ground combat branch expected the propeller-driven, helium-filled airship would begin airborne trials in early 2011 and deploy just a few months later.
Northrop and the Army repeatedly pushed back the initial launch, without ever explaining exactly why.The first flight had been slated for early June, but unspecified problems forced another two-month delay.
Overall, Cummings said the objectives of the LEMV were met, but further testing is needed before it is officially ready for surveillance operations. Wired reports Northrup Grumman aiming for combat trials in Afghanistan by early 2013.
“Additional manned flights will resume following a planned and very detailed inspection of the vehicle,” Cummings said according to Wired.
The LEMV is touted by Northrup Grumman to be fuel efficient with the capability of “more than 21 days of unblinking stare.”
(Related: DHS Testing ‘Mega-Cameras’ Mounted on Blimps for Border Surveillance)
News of the Army finally testing the blimp comes shortly after the U.S. Air Force cancelled its program developing similar technology. Check out Wired’s full post for more background on the other blimp technology that was being developed but was since cancelled here.
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Comments (119)
S.Sailor
Posted on August 8, 2012 at 10:29pmBuy guns…
Buy Ammo….
Become proficient at airborne targets…..
Report Post »Marine 1
Posted on August 9, 2012 at 12:11amGee, there must be lots of terrorists in New Jersey. Remind me not to vacation there.
Every true patriot should have a howitzer and a few more toys just in case.
Man, that is duty I wouldn’t want. Talk about a sitting duck. On a good day with a 100 MPH tailwind that thing will move out. The rest of the time it cranks out a ramming speed of 40 MPH. Yee Haw!
Report Post »RJJinGadsden
Posted on August 9, 2012 at 12:26amDidn’t the Hindenburg crash in NJ?
Report Post »And, maybe they can camouflage it by painting GOODYEAR on each side.
ccprotect
Posted on August 9, 2012 at 12:44amthat is the issues that make no sense, slow and large. it would be no good in a war zone or over a aggressive enemy territory. the only use for this tax drinking project is to spy on the American people.
Report Post »sillyfreshness
Posted on August 9, 2012 at 2:49amThis whole “war on terror” is the perfect excuse to set up a communistic police state.
Report Post »TeslanEdison
Posted on August 9, 2012 at 3:42amDon’t you mean buy/build your own tiny blimp drone to take out their huge blimp drone, I‘ve seen clone wars but I’ve not seen drone wars, perhaps it will be like battle bots in the air, I wonder if they have tested it against a 18v cordless circular saw strapped to a motorized weather balloon? So far as their blimp is concerned bullets will likely bounce off through a combination of materials design and flight altitude, anything fast potentially could be laser-ed out of the sky if what I have been reading is correct.
Report Post »My best guess is that you would need to create a highly metallic smoke of some sort, that would effectively jam the visual and EM (radar like capabilities ) Tesla would have used a huge tower and zapped it down if it tried to spy on his Pikes Peak research laboratory in the 1890s. Edison would sued the Government for patient infringement, he was good at making things he didn’t like go away.
KyleD
Posted on August 9, 2012 at 4:01amAssuming there isn’t some sort of advanced defense system on this blimp I think the only possible use for this is in an area where it has little to no chance of it being attacked. In other words, high above US cities.
Report Post »burnteye86
Posted on August 9, 2012 at 4:37amyeah, and the return fire will be a hellfire missile
Report Post »NO_MORE_OBAMA
Posted on August 9, 2012 at 10:51amI have, I do and I am a really good shot.
Report Post »Leader1776
Posted on August 9, 2012 at 3:23pm@CCPROTECT
Report Post »Just what I was thinking. In this time of shoulder fired everything in the hands of everybody, this is another example of a wasted project or one where they (feds) believe it can be deployed in some area where citizens won’t fire on it. Where might that be?
armyofnibiru
Posted on August 9, 2012 at 3:40pmis this what the great technical marvels in stealth, speed and armorments our dear leader talked about was in our future.a fancy baloon!!that only can servive with non hostiles in the area.is that the change he talked about ,going backwards?
Report Post »Kaoscontrol
Posted on August 9, 2012 at 5:54pmMore and more, life in the U.S. looks like the set of “Bladerunner”….
Report Post »sophillyjimmy
Posted on August 10, 2012 at 1:47amYeah Rjjjj, at the very same airport that this blimp took off then landed at in Lakehurst, NJ and if ths massive blimp is put into service to spy on our enemies it will meet the same fate as the Hindenburg did.
Report Post »FlagWavingPatriot
Posted on August 8, 2012 at 10:09pmEnjoy American Idol, or whatever you watch all day, America.
Your nation, freedoms and rights are being stolen right from under your noses. Your children and grandchildren will live in a guilty-until-proven-innocent police state.
Report Post »NOT A CRAZY
Posted on August 9, 2012 at 12:09amWe are well on our way. Freedom is a memory.
Report Post »hayesstephen
Posted on August 8, 2012 at 9:01pmReporters have to be some of the biggest dummies on the planet after editors. They used when referring to the maiden test flight, The test flight date had to be pushed back! No your morons the date had to be PUSHED FORWARD! Another one phrase they love to misuse is NEAR MISS. Meaning that they think that nothing was hit. A NEAR MISS IS A HIT!!! A near hit is a miss. These are supposed to be educated word smiths.
Report Post »NOT A CRAZY
Posted on August 9, 2012 at 12:12amI hope you aren’t looking here for word smiths. Depending on who The Blaze “writer” is they can’t get past hilarious, epic or so on. I decided yesterday that I won’t be looking at anything with those key words in the title.
Report Post »nosharia
Posted on August 8, 2012 at 8:39pmPretty big target.
Report Post »M13
Posted on August 8, 2012 at 10:14pmIf it were to get shot at by guns from the “Fast and Furious” operation that would be ironic.
Report Post »NOT A CRAZY
Posted on August 9, 2012 at 12:25amIronically “it was spotted over Patriots Park.”
So what if we all shined green lasers into its unblinking eye? What if several thousand people went out and shined green lasers into the unblinking eye every single day? It blinds airline pilots so why wouldn’t it blind this machine?
Report Post »Dismayed Veteran
Posted on August 9, 2012 at 12:13pmDidn’t so many blimps get shot down in WWI, that blimps were used only for submarine detection of the US shore?
Report Post »Cavy2see
Posted on August 10, 2012 at 2:45pmNot to mention what an explosion to see by miles and miles of on lookers…take a look at Hindenburg explosion…I don’t think new gas??? they are using will just go pop!!!
Report Post »NancyBee
Posted on August 8, 2012 at 8:31pmThis is not a good thing! I’m becoming paranoid about the dragon fly hanging around my front porch.lol
Report Post »NOT A CRAZY
Posted on August 9, 2012 at 12:19amThat is sad. It is a very sad time in America.
Report Post »TheFonz
Posted on August 8, 2012 at 8:30pmAll they need to do now is install loudspeakers to broadcast Chancellor Obama’s speechs and propagada or at least play some Led Zeppelin.
Report Post »nonliberal
Posted on August 8, 2012 at 8:20pmWell we know they aren’t planning on using a helium balloon over a combat zone. This means it will be used against our own citizens with the understanding you will be arrested for shooting at it.
They will treat it as a person like they do with police dogs and charge you with attempted murder for shooting at it.
Report Post »mash4077
Posted on August 8, 2012 at 10:57pmI was thinking the exact same thing. It is going to be used on us.God help us all.
Report Post »Eagle_Eye_1970
Posted on August 9, 2012 at 7:49amFYI…The United Stated of America (we the People) have been using helium filled spy balloons over combat zones for a long time now…this is something that I know about since I operate one.
Report Post »goahead.makemyday
Posted on August 9, 2012 at 12:58pmHelium balloons are actually a good spy platform. They are stable, can stay in a certain area with less flybys than jets. They tend to be quieter, and can blend in cloudcover. It’s hard to shoot something down at 30,000 feet with RPG’s.
Report Post »vanman4446
Posted on August 9, 2012 at 11:54pmThey have to find you before they can arrest you.
Report Post »aggiebrewer
Posted on August 8, 2012 at 8:01pmfirst FIGHT, huh?
calling Dr Freud, Dr Freud….
Report Post »kaydeebeau
Posted on August 8, 2012 at 7:51pmWell everything else from the O regime seems to be from the 1930′s I guess this is just par for the course
Report Post »johnVMFA122
Posted on August 8, 2012 at 7:44pmObama has a fleet of airships coming online for propaganda and surveliance purposes…. perfect timing to boot!
I wonder if any other countries had airships for such purposes…
Report Post »Macman1138
Posted on August 8, 2012 at 8:37pmThis airship reminds me of the ones on the film “Bladerunner.”
Report Post »WakingSheep
Posted on August 8, 2012 at 8:38pmBut….. but…..the boogeyman might get me in the ME.
Report Post »I’m scared of the boogeyman. I don‘t really know why I’m scared of the boogeyman but I am.
I have more of a chance getting struck by lighting or winning the lottery than I do of meeting the boogeyman but he terrifies me.
I’m willing to let NDAA, The Patriot Act, Homegrown Terrorism Act of 2007 (which labels homeschoolers), The FED, Social Security, IRS, TSA, NSA, ATF, EPA, Executive orders, etc
Stand.
Obamacare will be no different than the FED by the time my children are grown; so no need in worrying about it.
We just need to Continue getting further and further away from the Constitution because it will not protect me or my family from the boogeyman.
armyofnibiru
Posted on August 9, 2012 at 3:54pmi hope oboogyman dos’nt declare that, under oboogycare you or your family are not their type of sheeple.and when you go to the oboogyopital they set you out to pasture with only a painpill.remember you won’t see the boogyman comeing till he pulls your head out of the sand.
Report Post »TPaine
Posted on August 8, 2012 at 7:43pmKnow how easy it would be to take these things down? Why, you could probably do it with a decent-sized Estes model rocket. Predators fly relatively high with a very small profile – these things will be sitting targets.
Report Post »one.dakine.howlie
Posted on August 8, 2012 at 7:01pmThey were testing these out in the Utah desert a few months ago. Saw three of them with my own eyes. We all thought they were UFOs until we got the binoculars out.
Report Post »macpappy
Posted on August 8, 2012 at 6:57pmIf you can’t launch smaller further reaching drones from this air ship, I miss the point. Unless, the point is to use it over friendly territory, like the US, and not have to worry about anyone shooting at it.
Report Post »muffythetuffy
Posted on August 8, 2012 at 7:06pmWe need a web site where these Blimp and Gunship sightings can be reported. The TEA may need to develop a counter spy Civilian Air Patrol, a CAP. If you see something, say something. Civilian Band Radio would be a good place to report sightings. Use the code BETTY for Blimp, GUY for gunship and DOG for drown. HOT would indicate that it appears armed.
Report Post »Hugh Williams
Posted on August 8, 2012 at 7:34pmIt is to slow to use in hat combat zones. I don’t see any other plausible use except watching us after they take our guns. Big Brother is watching.
Report Post »seeker9
Posted on August 8, 2012 at 11:52pm@muffy
Report Post »drown is like you breathe in water to the lungs, drone is like an unmanned air craft. Just trying to help.
Brother Winston Smith
Posted on August 8, 2012 at 6:55pmOur Fourth Amendment:
The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.
Had enough?
RON PAUL 2012!!!!!!! Ma’man HAS WON ENOUGH STATES TO GET NOMINATED! NO EXCUSES!!!!!!
Report Post »WakingSheep
Posted on August 8, 2012 at 7:17pmI‘ve had enough but he just wasn’t pretty enough for President or T.V. apparently…..
Report Post »GoodStuff
Posted on August 8, 2012 at 7:21pmkook alert.
Report Post »WakingSheep
Posted on August 8, 2012 at 8:00pmIgnorance alert
Report Post »justangry
Posted on August 8, 2012 at 8:20pmThe dude posts the 4th amendment and is called a kook! Outstanding!
Report Post »WakingSheep
Posted on August 8, 2012 at 8:54pmThese people just don‘t get what’s coming. They voted down their Constitution with a Romney or Obama victory which completely takes off the governments gloves. Obama has prove what he can “Move Forward” on and Romney is just another mastermind.
Here’s a clip of bernanke pretty much threatening economic doom if the FED were to be audited.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AidBugvVqpw&feature=related
They sold us into slavery before we were even born and call us kooks for being aware of it.
“Obamacare” or “Repeal and Replace” will be no different than the FED to my children.
What will they think of next?
Report Post »NOT A CRAZY
Posted on August 9, 2012 at 12:18am@Just…it isn’t the Constitution or even Ron Paul that is the kook. I personally am not saying if Ron Paul is or isn’t a kook. I agree with most, but not all, of what I have heard him say. The KOOK’s are the sycophantic Paulbots who bow before him and virtually pray to him.
Report Post »deltaecho
Posted on August 8, 2012 at 6:40pmMan! I bet that thing can go at least 38mph! No one could EVER hit it, much less see it coming.
Report Post »Rothbardian_in_the_Cleve
Posted on August 8, 2012 at 6:31pmThey sell ad space on that thing? Be great at sporting events.
Report Post »muffythetuffy
Posted on August 8, 2012 at 6:53pmI saw it three weeks ago and thought it was the Met Life airship. It seemed to be faster than an airship. Soon they will be armed with rockets and bombs to use against us. The Government hates us because we want to cut taxes and reduce the size of government. For this they want to kill us.
Report Post »imsteph
Posted on August 8, 2012 at 6:20pmhttp://wholetmythoughtsout.blogspot.com/2009/11/v-is-for-visitors.html
Report Post »muffythetuffy
Posted on August 8, 2012 at 6:51pmLearn Semephore flag signaling.
Just lean to send F–K YOU. Repeat it over several times. I give helicopter gun ships that overfly my house at tree top the Italian Up Yours salute. On two occasions the gun ship made an abrupt turn and circled my home. The rotten fatherless persons.
Report Post »progressiveslayer
Posted on August 8, 2012 at 6:19pmDon’t you fell all safe and cozy?
Report Post »imsteph
Posted on August 8, 2012 at 6:26pmdon’t worry-they come in peace…i am sure it won‘t be long before they will be projecting obama’s latest propaganda speech broadcast for the masses… all the while collecting intel from the masses in order to use it against them…
Report Post »Rothbardian_in_the_Cleve
Posted on August 8, 2012 at 6:51pmThese will never hover over major cities in the future. No worries.
Report Post »muffythetuffy
Posted on August 8, 2012 at 6:59pmThey must think that in the event of an outbreak in hostilities no one will shoot at the Blimp. Hmmm this may be why we lost the Iraqi and Afghanistan wars. The Obama Government now labels the American people as the greatest threat to America than nations armed with atomic explosives. One of the 50 states should begin developing their own atomic weapons. If Iran can do it, it cannot be that difficult.
Report Post »Mutiny
Posted on August 8, 2012 at 6:17pmI just dont see how this is a effective tool overseas. This seems like more of a tool to be used against US citizens than abroad. In Afghanistan where everyone has a ak-47 and a old stinger missile it seems like a easy target. At home, we are being disarmed and owning a stinger would get you labeled a terrorist.
Report Post »OniKaze
Posted on August 8, 2012 at 6:22pmAnd what exactly DID you think they were building this for???
Its a shame, but our own government trusts terrorists like Mjr. Nidal Hassan and Lewis Farrakahn more than they trust a honest, tax-paying American citizen…
Report Post »justangry
Posted on August 8, 2012 at 6:28pm@oni… Or our veterans. I don‘t think I’ll EVER get over that.
Report Post »The-Monk
Posted on August 8, 2012 at 6:31pm@Mutiny
It could have the capability to fly at higher altitudes out of gun shot range.
Report Post »WakingSheep
Posted on August 8, 2012 at 6:49pmBut….. but…..the boogeyman might get me in the ME.
I’m scared of the boogeyman. I don‘t really know why I’m scared of the boogeyman but I am.
I have more of a chance getting struck by lighting or winning the lottery than I do of meeting the boogeyman but he terrifies me.
I’m willing to let NDAA, The Patriot Act, Homegrown Terrorism Act of 2007 (which labels homeschoolers), The FED, Social Security, IRS, TSA, NSA, ATF, EPA, Executive orders, etc
Stand.
Obamacare will be no different than the FED by the time my children are grown; so no need in worrying about it.
We just need to Continue getting further and further away from the Constitution because it will not protect me or my family from the boogeyman.
“Look at the policies and not the speeches” -Me-
Report Post »grayling646
Posted on August 8, 2012 at 6:16pmI wonder who that unblinking stare will be focused on?
Report Post »progressiveslayer
Posted on August 8, 2012 at 6:20pmEnemies of the state,political enemies,you know U.S citizens.
Report Post »justangry
Posted on August 8, 2012 at 6:33pmNo doubt, ProgSlayer… Those evil “liberty lovers” who cherish our constitution and sovereignty.
Report Post »oldsoldier10
Posted on August 8, 2012 at 6:15pmi am taking out my .30-06 and shooting that down!
Report Post »conservative316
Posted on August 8, 2012 at 6:12pmGood thing its a spy blimp, you can barely see it.
Report Post »kaydeebeau
Posted on August 8, 2012 at 7:50pmYou put my thought to words….I seem to remember that a couple of the objectives of spying were stealth and hiding….my how things have changed
Report Post »MonkeyBeagle
Posted on August 8, 2012 at 6:10pmIve seen a different one that is shaped like a triangle.. the triangle one is still top secret. :)
Report Post »justangry
Posted on August 8, 2012 at 6:10pmNeeds a big Ron Paul logo on it. :)
Report Post »MeMadMax
Posted on August 8, 2012 at 6:15pmAmen.
Report Post »The-Monk
Posted on August 8, 2012 at 6:25pm@justangry
Sorry to hear about your poor health. I know a lot about backs (spines) and cancer. If there’s anything I can do to help (suggestions) please let me know.
Report Post »justangry
Posted on August 8, 2012 at 6:30pmNah man, it’s cool. Except I wanted to march with the vets.
Report Post »WakingSheep
Posted on August 8, 2012 at 6:35pmRon Paul 2012!
Report Post »WakingSheep
Posted on August 8, 2012 at 6:41pmActually we should put some videos up our next POS…. er… I mean POTUS.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K9njHHyRI7g
Ron Paul vs Mitt Romney vs Obama:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qJ4k0gtHB2s
The last one pretty much sums it up.
“Look at the policies not the speaches” -Me-
Report Post »TIME_2_END_THE_PAUL_CAMPAIGN_IN_12
Posted on August 8, 2012 at 6:49pmJUST. I knew you had some health issues but wasn’t quite sure what the prob was (obviously missed any in depth comments you may have made regarding same). Service-connected? If so, did you state something to the effect that your care was sub-standard at the VA you may be going to at one time, or was that for another issue?
In all seriousness (all political BS here aside), I’m interested in knowing more if you feel like broaching the subject (again)?
Report Post »MonkeyBeagle
Posted on August 8, 2012 at 6:09pmFirst Fight in New Jersey?
Report Post »Snidely
Posted on August 8, 2012 at 8:03pmI wondered about that too. Are we at war with New Jersey now?
Report Post »