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Blimps are making a comeback apparently. I think the goal is to use them as a central relay for communications and to put a bunch of cameras and sensors on them
by dm2 13y ago
Blimps are making a comeback apparently. I think the goal is to use them as a central relay for communications and to put a bunch of cameras and sensors on them. Possibly even release smaller drones and allow drones to refuel or recharge on them, kind of like a "mothership".
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W3n5cUaG5fg https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W3n5cUaG5fg
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z72GPZ3MI2M https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z72GPZ3MI2M
- jasonwatkinspdx 13y agoTethered blimps are already in use by the US military and border patrol: http://www.lockheedmartin.com/us/products/lighter-than-air-vehicles/ptds.html http://www.lockheedmartin.com/us/products/lighter-than-air-v... I expect we'll see more and more of this. Military stuff aside, they could be useful for early fire detection in high risk areas of CA, etc.
- dm2 13y agoYeah, those are cool, and a really good idea. Some great outside-the-box thinking, "let's put blimps everywhere!" They're a lot larger than I thought after seeing that photo you linked to. I always assumed they were the size of a small car or even smaller. I think they're also combined with the boomerang shooter detection system, and probably other sensors to give troops as much data as possible (wind speeds for shooting would probably be helpful). Also, the chrome version (with solar panels on top!) http://www.lockheedmartin.com/us/products/lighter-than-air-vehicles/haa.html http://www.lockheedmartin.com/us/products/lighter-than-air-v...