The U.S. Army is launching two stationary "blimps" at 10,000-feet over Maryland to better protect the Washington, D.C., area from cruise missiles and other possible air attacks. On December 14, personnel from the Joint Land Attack Cruise Missile Defense Elevated Netted Sensor System (JLENS) oversee the inflation of an aerostat, or stationary blimp, at Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland.
U.S. Northern Command
Inflating an Army 'blimp' —
Crew work with the structure of the aerostat at Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland.
U.S. Northern Command
Inflating an Army 'blimp' —
The aerostat begins to take shape.
U.S. Northern Command
Inflating an Army 'blimp' —
Crew check the inflation of the Army aerostat.
U.S. Northern Command
Inflating an Army 'blimp' —
When inflated and tethered, the aerostat will rise to 10,000 feet.
U.S. Northern Command
Inflating an Army 'blimp' —
The aerostats carry technology that will almost double the reach of current ground radar detection, officials said.
U.S. Northern Command
Inflating an Army 'blimp' —
The JLENS System is designed to work with already existing air defense technology.
U.S. Northern Command
Inflating an Army 'blimp' —
The balloons will fly above the Army's Aberdeen Proving Ground in Maryland and do not carry any cameras.
