The U.S. Missile Defense Agency wants to use blimps to track incoming rockets. And the agency has tapped three defense contractors to begin drawing up plans for the zeppelins, according to Global Security Newswire.
For the next four months, the companies will work on basic concepts for a solar-powered airship that can fly at 65,000 feet. A winner in the sweepstakes will be declared by 2004. And a prototype for this "High Altitude Airship Advanced Concept Technology Demonstration" is scheduled for 2006.
NEW TOOL FOR MISSILE DEFENSE: BLIMPS
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