American Blimp MZ-3
Encyclopedia
The MZ-3A is a blimp
Blimp
A blimp, or non-rigid airship, is a floating airship without an internal supporting framework or keel. A non-rigid airship differs from a semi-rigid airship and a rigid airship in that it does not have any rigid structure, neither a complete framework nor a partial keel, to help the airbag...
owned by the United States Navy
United States Navy
The United States Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. The U.S. Navy is the largest in the world; its battle fleet tonnage is greater than that of the next 13 largest navies combined. The U.S...
since 2006.
It is a modified American Blimp Corporation
American Blimp Corporation
-External links:** of ABC's Lightship Group subsidiary...
A-170 series commercial blimp and given the USN type/model/series (T/M/S) designation MZ-3A and Bureau Number (BuNo) 167811. After delivery to the Navy, the airship began operations as an advanced flying laboratory used to evaluate affordable sensor payloads, the development of new lighter-than-air (LTA) technologies and general flight support for other related R&D/S&T projects.
In May 2006, Air Test and Evaluation Squadron TWENTY Lighter-than-Air Vehicle (LTAV) Detachment (VX-20
VX-20
VX-20, Air Test and Evaluation Squadron Twenty, is a United States Navy air test and evaluation squadron based at Naval Air Station Patuxent River, Maryland.-Operations:...
LTAV Det) began regular flight operations from the Naval Air Engineering Station Lakehurst
Naval Air Engineering Station Lakehurst
JB MDL Lakehurst is a United States Navy base located approximately south-southeast of Trenton, New Jersey. Lakehurst is under the jurisdiction of the Naval Air Systems Command...
located in Lakehurst, New Jersey. In 2007 flight operations were halted and the ship stored in Hangar Six at NAES Lakehurst.
In January 2010, the MZ-3A was transferred to the United States Naval Research Laboratory
United States Naval Research Laboratory
The United States Naval Research Laboratory is the corporate research laboratory for the United States Navy and the United States Marine Corps and conducts a program of scientific research and development. NRL opened in 1923 at the instigation of Thomas Edison...
Military Support Division's Scientific Development Squadron ONE (VXS-1)
VXS-1
Scientific Development Squadron ONE is a U.S. Navy military support squadron that conducts numerous single-aircraft deployments around the world in support of a wide range of scientific research projects.-Mission statement:...
, formerly known as the Flight Support Detachment, located at the Naval Air Station Patuxent River
Naval Air Station Patuxent River
"Pax River" redirects here. For the river, see Patuxent River.Naval Air Station Patuxent River , also known as NAS Pax River, is a United States Naval Air Station located in St. Mary's County, Maryland on the Chesapeake Bay near the mouth of the Patuxent River. It is home to the U.S...
, Maryland.
In March 2010 the airship resumed flight operations with test flights at Marine Corps Air Station Yuma
Marine Corps Air Station Yuma
Marine Corps Air Station Yuma or MCAS Yuma is a United States Marine Corps air station which is the home to multiple squadrons of AV-8B Harrier IIs of the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, Marine Aviation Weapons and Tactics Squadron 1 and Marine Fighter Training Squadron 401 , an air combat adversary...
, Arizona.
The MZ-3A is a government owned / contractor operated (GOCO) aircraft operated by a civilian contractor, Integrated Systems Solutions, Inc. (ISSI) of California. ISSI currently maintains and operates the vehicle employing Navy approved, highly qualified, commercial blimp pilots to command the airship.
On 5 July 2010, the MZ-3A was re-deployed to the Jack Edwards National Airport in Gulf Shores, Alabama
Gulf Shores, Alabama
-External links:*...
to assist in the Deepwater Horizon oil spill
Deepwater Horizon oil spill
The Deepwater Horizon oil spill is an oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico which flowed unabated for three months in 2010, and continues to leak fresh oil. It is the largest accidental marine oil spill in the history of the petroleum industry...
recovery operation.
At a ribbon-cutting ceremony on 26 October 2011 at the Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division, [Naval Air Engineering Station Lakehurst|NAES Lakehurst]], New Jersey, and in recognition of the Centennial of Naval Aviation, the Navy unveiled a fresh identity for the MZ-3A. Emblazoned with red, white and blue striped rudders reminiscent of the Navy's airships just prior to World War II, the airship also boasts the insignia of the VXS-1 Warlocks
VXS-1
Scientific Development Squadron ONE is a U.S. Navy military support squadron that conducts numerous single-aircraft deployments around the world in support of a wide range of scientific research projects.-Mission statement:...
and the banner of the U.S. Navy.
The airship is propeller-driven by two 180 HP Lycoming engines, providing a maximum cruise speed of just under 50 kn (98 km/h). The manned 178-foot LTA craft has an operational payload capability of up to 2,500 pounds and can remain aloft and nearly stationary for more than twelve-hours, performing various missions in support of technology development for Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (C4ISR) concepts.