US Pentagon Plans For a Spy Blimp

Posted by kdawson on Saturday March 14, 2009 @07:58AM from the unblinking-eye dept.

nloop writes "The Pentagon is intending to develop a new spy ship — a dirigible. At 65,000 feet it would provide a 10 year, solar power based, unblinkingly intricate and continuous view of the surface via radar surveillance. Because of its altitude it would be safe from surface-to-air missiles and most aircraft. A 1/3-scale prototype, now being designed, is 'known as ISIS, for Integrated Sensor Is the Structure, because the radar system will be built into the structure of the ship. ... 'If successful, the dirigible... could pave the way for a fleet of spy airships, military officials said.'"

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Re:Missiles reach SPACE you know. by topham · 2009-03-14 08:16 · Score: 0, Flamebait

It's radar signature will be HUGE actually.
Not like it will matter much. Only a couple of countries with capability to shoot it down would even consider it. That's pretty much Russia and China.
It is a good idea, however it's real purpose will be above U.S. cities to spy on the locals.