Along the lines of my last post about surveillance platforms, this is another interesting development. UAV blimps. They are cheaper to run, and can stay up in the sky a long time. The problem I see, is why wouldn’t the enemy just shoot the thing out of the sky? Nothing like a big slow lumbering white target in the sky to shoot at. I would guess that they are planning on operating these things pretty high up, in order to get out of at least small arms range.
I would also hate to have these things get swooped up in some surprise sand storm like we get all the time in Iraq and Afghanistan. But I do think these would be a good hit for some of the areas we operate in.
The most interesting comment in this article, was about AFRICOM and Blackwater setting up aviation shop there. Prince is right. Africa has terrible roads, and lots of them. As we become more involved with Africa, UAVs watching the flight paths of these passenger aircraft will be vital. And with more aviation work, comes more potential SAR operations. Blackwater and their aviation company Presidential Airways has definitely acquired some interesting aircraft. –Head Jundi
Blackwater expands its fleet of airships
By Michael Hoffman – Staff writer
Posted : Saturday Jul 19, 2008 7:59:19 EDT
Blackwater Worldwide is building up its own Air Force.
Airmen might soon find Blackwater blimps patrolling Iraq and Afghanistan skies in addition to its helicopter and light transport aircraft already flying thousands of missions in theater.
According to Blackwater Worldwide CEO Erik Prince, eight Blackwater CASA 212 light transport aircraft flew 11,000 sorties in Afghanistan last year supporting 38 combat outposts over 19,000 square miles. Its aircraft transported more than 40,000 personnel and 9.5 million pounds of supplies last year.
“We moved about 40,000 passengers, and our total costs, our total invoice for that mission is about what the U.S. Air Force is paying for one new C-27,” he said.
“So the idea of outsourcing versus having government do it, that’s a pretty simple math question for me.”
Prince, who sat down July 7 for a rare, exclusive interview with Military Times editors and reporters, said he isn’t looking to replace the Air Force — simply fill a void where his company is needed.
“I think there’s a gap,” Prince said. “The C-130 is a great aircraft, but the older ones are getting pretty worn out and the C-130Js are coming online, but that’s a very expensive airplane.”