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2010-01-05 Science & Technology

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Posted by Steve White 2010-01-05 00:00|| || Front Page|| [11128 views ] Top

#1 I'm not so sure. They threw in some tongue in cheek gags into that slide show. And despite all else, the best use of airships is rather dull--heavy cargo lift. Payload for a C-130 is only 22.5 tons. Their largest airship has a payload of 500 tons.

So it would take 22 C-130 flights to carry as much cargo. So airships save a hell of a lot of time and money.

Posted by Anonymoose 2010-01-05 08:46|| 2010-01-05 08:46|| Front Page Top

#2 Faster than ships, more cargo than planes. The real question is how high can they go (above RPG range?) and how durable are they?

I mean continue comparing it to a C-130, but one equipped with the gatling guns and canons to support ground troops. The airship can stay on target a lot longer and doesn't have the same level of movement so I should think it would be far more accurate. It would be nice having that floating up high over a base, or silently over known smuggler trails, but at what point is this death from above a big fat target?

Posted by rjschwarz 2010-01-05 10:14|| 2010-01-05 10:14|| Front Page Top

#3 First thought: review the success of the Zeppelin raids on London...

Posted by borgboy 2010-01-05 13:36|| 2010-01-05 13:36|| Front Page Top

#4 I don't think that the Close Air Support mission is in the cards for any airship.

Airships can go really, really, really high, though. 70,000 feet wouldn't be out of the question. I think canceling DARPA's Walrus program was a mistake.

http://www.space.com/businesstechnology/technology/black_triangle_020805.html

Posted by Pstanley 2010-01-05 13:37|| 2010-01-05 13:37|| Front Page Top

#5 Afghanistan is a logistical nightmare. A number of airships doing cargo duty could be a real help.

Posted by remoteman 2010-01-05 14:00|| 2010-01-05 14:00|| Front Page Top

#6 Airships are OK so long as don't get within 300 feet of the ground.

Posted by ed 2010-01-05 14:05|| 2010-01-05 14:05|| Front Page Top

#7 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S-M97AJtems

WALRUS is huge!

Posted by Phith Dingle6292 2010-01-05 15:04|| 2010-01-05 15:04|| Front Page Top

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