1
Jane’s All the World’s Aircraft (various years), Jane’s Information Group Ltd., London.
2
“Iraqi Conflict Brings Increased Interest in Military Airships,” Sea Power, The Navy League,
July 2003, [http://www.navyleague.org/sea_power/jul_03_01.php].
Congressional Research Service ˜ The Library of Congress
CRS Report for Congress
Received through the CRS Web
Order Code RS21886
Updated September 1, 2006
Potential Military Use of Airships and
Aerostats
Christopher Bolkcom
Specialist in National Defense
Foreign Affairs, Defense, and Trade Division
Summary
The Department of Defense (DOD) has a history of using lighter-than-air (LTA)
platforms. Aerostats have recently been fielded to protect deployed U.S. troops.
Contemporary interest is growing in using airships for numerous missions. This report
examines the various concepts being considered and describes the issues for Congress.
This report will be updated as events warrant.
Background
Airships and aerostats have been used historically for military surveillance and anti-
submarine warfare. Unlike fixed-wing aircraft or helicopters, aerostats and airships are
“lighter-than-air (LTA)”; typically using helium to stay aloft. Airships are traditionally
manned, and use engines to fly. Aerostats are tethered to the ground, by a cable that also
provides power. As many as 32 companies are involved in the design or manufacture of
more than 100 commercially available airships and aerostats in Europe, Asia, and North
America.
1
The Navy disbanded its last airship unit in1962, and since then, military use of
lighter-than-air platforms has been limited to Air Force custodianship of a dozen
aerostats.
2
However, a number of developments have combined to draw increased
attention toward LTA platforms. First, U.S. aerospace dominance in military conflicts
since 1991 has been overwhelming, making threats to LTA platforms appear to be very
low by historical standards. Second, the military’s demand for “persistent surveillance,”
a function for which aerostats appear to be well suited, is growing. Network-centric
warfare approaches, increased emphasis on homeland security, and growing force
protection demands in urban environments all call for “dominant battlespace awareness.”
