BAE's GA22 unmanned blimp makes its debut, we love blimps

We're not sure what's going on here, but we're not going to complain: Blimps are making a comeback. There are powerful hauling blimps, sure, but BAE is hopping on the autonomous systems bandwagon with its nimble GA22. The 22-meter (72 feet) dirigible is meant to carry high-tech surveillance equipment weighing up to 330 pounds at an altitude around 6,500 feet. The unmanned craft could also be used for sporting events, floods, and forest fires, says BAE. Right now the vehicle is radio-controlled but the ultimate release will be completely autonomous. Unfortunately, this means we can't take a ride, but, as we said, it's still a blimp, and blimps are just straight-up cool.

[Via Danger Room]

[tyler @ Jul 15th 2008 1:58AM]

I don't think you love blimps as much as you love using the word 'dirigible'.

[couchpundit @ Jul 15th 2008 2:41AM]

It's even MORE fun to say "Derigiberbil'

http://www.rathergood.com/mark/

[Andrew B. @ Jul 15th 2008 2:05AM]

They say that they're to be using blimps and solar powered U.A.V.'s as low level yet still very high altitude sattelites. I believe that they're suppose to be cheaper alternatives to their million dollar rocket launched counterparts. Can anyone say global Wi-Fi

[Funke, Tobias Dr. @ Jul 15th 2008 2:09AM]

I've always been a fan of rigid airships myself.

[nealhill @ Jul 15th 2008 2:20AM]

So, I wonder what the FAA/ICAO issues are around this?

Will these have discrete transponder codes for ATC recognition? Are they required to remain only in Class E/G (US designation) airspaces and remain VFR?

Will there be NOTAMs "announcing" their presence in frequently used areas? (Like "tethered balloon" NOTAMs.)

... also ups the ante on having to see and avoid/

What about operations into/out of controlled fields?

[Mickey Rooney @ Jul 15th 2008 3:37AM]

Whoah! That was kewl! Just in case you needed someone other than yourself to be impressed by your vast knowledge of information 99% of this board neither needs nor cares for. It was kewl to me, though.

[Andrew B. @ Jul 15th 2008 10:55AM]

Depending on which nation the dirigable is over it would be class E or F. Regardless both are uncontrolled airspaces and VFR would apply. These dirigiables because they are lighter than air aircraft would be required to fly above FL600 taking them out of Class A airspace and out of the way of commercial jets and FAA or ICAO jurasdiction. Like any new technology it will have it's set backs. In this day and age it's not how hard you fall but how quickly you get up.

For those who are non-aviation savy this means there is an area of "uncontrolled/unmonitored" airspace 60,000 ft above mean sea level that the potential dirigable sattelites could "float" through without restrictions.

[Rogue_Genius @ Jul 15th 2008 12:04PM]

@ Andrew B.

I don't want to quibble over details but the article (and the original press release) both state an altitude of 6,500 feet, not 60,000. That one decimal place makes a lot of difference. 60k above mean sea level is a whole different ballgame, all types of things change at that height. 6500 feet is barely a mile overhead which leaves it close enough to cause problems for aircraft on approach/takeoff.

[Craig B. @ Jul 15th 2008 2:27AM]

How the heck do they land those things?

[BigBloke @ Jul 15th 2008 2:34AM]

...slowly

[Tim Brown @ Jul 15th 2008 6:53AM]

With a sharp needle

[brick @ Jul 15th 2008 2:46AM]

I love lamp

[andres @ Jul 15th 2008 3:13AM]

you're probably wanted for murder

[Keaton @ Jul 15th 2008 3:46AM]

w/e... Blimps...

[Josh @ Jul 15th 2008 3:49AM]

I don't find improvements in surveillance technology cool, no matter how blimp-ish they are.

[Spork @ Jul 15th 2008 4:00AM]

6500 ft? Thats enthusiast Potatoe gun territory....

[bebop @ Jul 15th 2008 4:20AM]

Yeah yeah, a remote controlled balloon. Now where's my Zeppelin?

[Harry Wagstaff @ Jul 15th 2008 5:30AM]

1. Find an elevator.
2. Write 'Zeppelin' on a piece of paper and stick it to a button.
3. Press said button.
4. ?????
5. Profit!

[Cadman @ Jul 15th 2008 4:46AM]

I LOVE BLIMPS!!!
I hope they make airships too :D

[Bernhard @ Jul 15th 2008 5:25AM]

With rising fuel prices, it can happen.

[Arran @ Jul 15th 2008 5:13AM]

Anyone notice the double 'the' ?

Oh yea.

[PoisonEye @ Jul 15th 2008 8:21AM]

I, for one, welcome our dirigible overlords.

[soul_ire @ Jul 18th 2008 1:27PM]

check it out
http://www.mailonsunday.co.uk/news/article-1034906/A-birds-eye-view-Londons-landmarks-taken-Britains-newest-airship.html

[bakesale @ Jul 15th 2008 11:16AM]

I for one welcome our Autonomous Blimp Overlords.

[bakesale @ Jul 15th 2008 11:22AM]

@PoisonEye--excellent call. Guess I ought to read the comments more thoroughly :P

[Jonathan B @ Jul 15th 2008 11:56AM]

I have a tip for how they could save money:

Use Hydrogen.

[PoisonEye @ Jul 15th 2008 2:24PM]

Oh the humanity! Wait, they're autonomous.

[Wolfticket @ Jul 15th 2008 7:28PM]

Tits tits it's the blimp!