Tuesday, December 30, 2014

U.S. Army's Surveillance Blimp Now Operational Above Maryland

The 'JLENS' blimp, built by Raytheon, which can spot objects 340 miles away using highly sensitive radio systems. The US Army has begun testing the craft over Maryland, sparking privacy fears.

US Army's Controversial 'All Seeing' Surveillance Blimps Lift Off Above Maryland - And Can Spot Objects As Small As A Person 340 MILES Away -- Daily Mail

* Blimps can offer '360 degree 24/7 surveillance for 30 days at a time'
* owerful radar allows them to spot objects 340 miles away
* Privacy advocates worry they will be fitted with cameras to track individual people's movements

The US Army has launched the first of two controversial 'all seeing' blimps designed to help the military detect and destroy cruise missiles or rogue aircraft incursions targeting America's East Coast cities.

The first radar-toting vehicle is airborne as part of a three-year test of the latest defense system at an Army facility near Baltimore, Maryland.

When fully deployed next February, the $2.8billion system will feature two, unmanned, helium-filled aerostats - able to scan the oceans and coastline in a 340-mile radius.

Read more ....

Update #1: U.S. Launches Airstrikes Against al-Shabab Extremist Leader In Somalia -- Baltimore Sun
Update #2: Radar testing for JLENS aerostat -- UPI

My Comment: The eye in the sky is now a reality .... at least over a certain part of U.S. airspace.

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