Pentagon to launch blimps to guard against cruise missiles

CBSNews.com ^ | January 24, 2014 | David Martin

[Biggirl]

THE PENTAGON -- The Pentagon has discovered a gap in the defenses of Washington, D.C., and it's about to test a solution.

But depending on your point of view, the solution is either vital for national security or a threat to American privacy.

[dragnet2]

Seems D.C. wants total security...

Funny how tens of millions can enter illegally into the cities of our hinterlands at will. They occasionally stop trucks with 75 or so pack inside and once in a while find safe houses packed full of them etc...

How about the conga-line of 5,000 tons of drugs that enter as a matter of routine?

How hard would it be to smuggle in nasty weapons/components in one of those thousands of trucks/vehicles that come across our lawless borders from one of the most corrupt countries on earth?

I guess as long as D.C. is surrounded by rings of security, every thing is cool.

[avenir]

The One enthroned in Heaven laughs!

[Pentagon Leatherneck]

"If we object to the development and testing of technology that can detect cruise missiles, how do you propose we develop this capability?" Oh, Hulka: don't try to reason with this crowd. They's minds are made up and they don't need facts and reason! TC

[StormEye]

"Very creative of them. Wonder if it will look like this?

Sure. Just replace the Nazi swastika with that stupid Obama/Democrat Party campaign emblem.

[newnhdad]

I’m confused.. I thought we all and Al Queda was dead..

[Wildbill22]

What about cutting the tether?

[DBrow]

“What about cutting the tether?”

Good plan, if you have unrestricted access to the tether. Usually these things are secured. I’ve been to the aerostat at Ft Huachuca, and you have to jump through some hoops to get on site. The Army had already thought of a guy in cammies with a K-Bar.

[DBrow]

I looked it up:

http://www.raytheon.com/capabilities/products/jlens/

[DBrow]

“I guess as long as D.C. is surrounded by rings of security, every thing is cool.”

Plus, every bureaucrat is armed with a 9mm Glock and 10,000 rounds of hollow point .40.

[Jewbacca]

“I’m a little unclear on exactly how a tethered blimp is supposed to intercept a maneuvering 500 mph cruise missile.”

Amy Pond hanging from a rope from a blimp used the Doctor’s sonic screwdriver to do just that, I believe.

And if it’s on TV, it must be true.

[null and void]

Good point!

[null and void]

Bar shot or chain shot.

[Jewbacca]

“They’s minds are made up and they don’t need facts and reason! TC”

Given how badly we are routinely lied to, do you blame them?

[DBrow]

Interesting, from what range?

[null and void]

No idea. I don’t think anyone’s used bar shot for at least a century.

[DBrow]

I’m sure there is a 12 ga equivalent, considering how you can get bolo rounds, flechettes, and the like.

[null and void]

Not if you are in California...

[HiJinx]

Great answer!

[HiJinx]

Did someone already reply? They’re for detection, not disruption.

We’ve had one of these (different payload, I expect) tethered on Ft. Huachuca, AZ for over 20 years now. Ostensibly for detection of drug and people smugglers.

[HiJinx]

Frankly we should be using these to observe border airspace and airspace around important sites all over the country.

We call him...Fat Albert!