Airships have great potential to support 21st Century American military operations in a wide variety of missions. The US should embrace airships and take the necessary steps to ensure its armed forces gain the greatest advantage from these unique platforms. Recent improvements in structural technology, propulsion systems, avionics, and sensors have greatly increased the performance of airships. Airships can be used to perform an expanding list of missions, including: intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR); airlift; communications replay; maritime patrol; theater ballistic missiles defense; and space launch. However, lack of both focus and funding is currently hampering the development, production, and integration of airships into America's 21st Century arsenal. Recent advances in airships performance, in conjunction with ongoing research and development, point to a bright future for airships in support of future US military operations. America must take the necessary steps now to gain the greatest benefits from the unique capabilities of tomorrow's airships.


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    Title :

    New Again: Innovative Missions for 21st Century American Airships


    Contributors:
    D. T. Bilko (author)

    Publication date :

    2007


    Size :

    29 pages


    Type of media :

    Report


    Type of material :

    No indication


    Language :

    English




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