U.S. Army to deploy more ("aerostat") balloons to Iraq ($77.5 million contract)

[sabra]

http://www.upi.com/SecurityTerrorism/view.php?StoryID=20061129-102403-8056r

U.S. Army to deploy more balloons to Iraq

WASHINGTON, Nov. 29 (UPI) -- The United States will be expanding its use a balloon-based surveillance system in Iraq.

The U.S. Army awarded a $77.5 million contract to Lockheed Martin for the Persistent Threat Detection System (PTDS), which uses a large balloon tethered to the ground as a platform for cameras and other sensors to monitor the area around high-value assets and installations.

Referred to as an "aerostat" system, the PTDS was first deployed in Iraq two years ago. The new units will be delivered to the military within the next several months, Lockheed said Wednesday in a news release.

"Aerostat surveillance systems give the Army the reliable and constant information and intelligence collection capability vital to protecting deployed personnel and high-value assets," said Lockheed's Ron Browning. "Our team is committed to completing the PTDS production and integration to field the systems as quickly as possible."

[ewagner]

1. Balloons?

Can you say "target practice"?

[Strelnikov_]

2. What You Figure, About $10 M Per Unit? n/t

[acmavm]

3. They gotta spend that money while they still can.

[Jacobin]

4. Nice targets

:rofl:


:rofl:

[OneBlueSky]

5. you beat me to it . . . sitting (err . . . hovering?) ducks . . .

and $77.5 million for balloons? . . . someone's making some BIG profits on this one! . . .

used to be called "war profiteering," and it was thoroughly illegal . . .

come to think of it, it still IS . . .

[Jacobin]

7. There is one of these types of things not far from

where I grew up along the gulf coast, anchored out in a marsh. I think its a drug related balloon for watching for low flying aircraft. The locals are always taking pot shots at it with a .22, and after a couple of weeks, they bring it down to repair it.

I suspect the Iraqis will make quick work of these floating targets.

[itsmesgd]

6. will the balloons be in the shape of a poodle?

Slingshots anyone?

Oh the Huge Manatee.

[MurrayDelph]

10. It is balloon!!

(btw, would a poodle-shaped balloon look like Tony Blair?)

[underpants]

11. By George I think I've spotted an insurgent!

[driver8]

8. Who are they sending next? Buzz Lightyear??

I'm surprised Halliburton didn't get this contract...one more thing for them to fuck up.

[happyslug]

9. For more see the following:

http://www.designation-systems.net/dusrm/app4/aerostats.html

[Barrett808]

12. Oh yeah, now BALLOONS, that's the ticket!

This will definitely turn the tide in our favor.

[On the Road]

13. Hop on the PTDS for Some PTSD!

[anotherdrew]

14. they should have had lines of these along every border by day 3

but no, they did jack and shit for securing the borders

[alfredo]

15. They were used during the US civil war, why not the Iraqi

civil war?

[Briarius]

16. WW1 anyone?

what next, zeppelins?