XBradTC

,

By

XBradTC

·

Oddball Aircraft

We’ll post a little later about one of the oddities of the EA-18G Growler squadrons, but in doing a touch of research, I was reminded of one of the more obscure aircraft in the Navy’s inventory right now, the MZ-3A. “M” stands for multi-mission. The “Z” stands for lighter than air. Yes, the Navy operates…

We’ll post a little later about one of the oddities of the EA-18G Growler squadrons, but in doing a touch of research, I was reminded of one of the more obscure aircraft in the Navy’s inventory right now, the MZ-3A.

“M” stands for multi-mission. The “Z” stands for lighter than air. Yes, the Navy operates a blimp.

File:Handlers prepare to launch the U.S. Navy MZ-3A manned airship for an orientation flight from Naval Air Station Patuxent River, Md., on Nov. 6, 2013 131106-N-PO203-532.jpg

Basically the Navy owns a commercial off the shelf blimp, and has used it primarily for various research programs. It’s been an on-and-off affair, threatened with cancellation several times.

The Navy actually has a long history of operating blimps (and that’s a story for another time), in addition to dirigibles. But as best as I can tell, this is the Navy’s first blimp since 1962.

Sadly, it’s a GOCO program. That is, the aircraft is government owned, but contractor operated. Which is a shame. It would have been very cool for some young officer to earn his blimp wing.

Yes, wing.

https://i0.wp.com/www.navlog.org/bag_pilot.jpg

Tags:

, , ,
  1. Esli

    My grandfather was aircrew on navy dirigibles before he switched to fixed wing. Amazing experiences. I have a letter that he wrote to the family, describing being under the Hindenburg as it burned up. To watch video of that event and read his letter is a unique experience. In a different letter he says that “we were all track stars when we were running out from under the Hindenburg.” If I recall correctly, they flew over the liner Morro Castle as it was beached and burning. Somewhere, I believe that I still have his cloth rating badge but I haven’t seen it in a long time. I used to have silverware from the Hindenburg, too, but someone stole it.

    Like

  2. ken

    My dad was the cook on his blimp crew, he used to tell stories of dropping milk cartons onto bathers in New Jersey.

    Like

Leave a comment