The Defense Department has so many airship programs Congress directed the Pentagon to designate a senior airship official in the 2012 National Defense Authorization Act signed by President Obama last Thursday.
This official will have responsibility for programs that include the Army's football-field sized Long Endurance Multi-Intelligence Vehicle and the equally large, blimp-like Air Force Blue Devil, both designed to carry sensors over battlefields.
Other military airship programs include plans by the Army to develop a massive cargo airship and a blimp to test sensors. Plus, the Army and Air Force have deployed tethered aerostats to carry radars.
I suggest that "The Deltoid Pumpkin Seed," by John McPhee -- the best airship book ever -- be required reading for the Pentagon airship czar.
Bob Brewin
Bob Brewin joined Government Executive in April 2007, bringing with him more than 20 years of experience as a journalist focusing on defense issues and technology. Bob covers the world of defense and information technology for Nextgov, and is the author of the “What’s Brewin” blog.
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