Most Recent Lighter-Than-Air Platform Designated MZ-3A
Unveiled at a ceremonious ribbon-cutting event, Oct. 26 at the
Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division, Lakehurst, New Jersey,
NAWCAD and the U.S. Naval Research Laboratory, reveal the MZ-3A
airship now adorned with the insignia of Scientific Development
Squadron ONE (VXS-1) and the banner of the U.S. Navy.
U.S. Navy Photo
“It's been nearly 50 years since the last U.S. Navy
Lighter-Than-Air platform cruised the skies over the New Jersey
coastline,” said CDR Jay Steingold, Commanding Officer,
VXS-1. "Today, the MZ-3A joins the ranks of her predecessors by
sporting the emblems of the United States Navy, marking an
important milestone in the history of naval airships.”
After 47 years, the U.S. Navy effectively terminated
Lighter-Than-Air (LTA) operations, August 31, 1962, with the final
flight of a ZPG-2 airship at Naval Air Station Lakehurst.
Emblazoned with red, white and blue stripes on her rudders
acknowledging the Navy's Centennial of Flight and earliest days of
Navy airship operations, the MZ-3A boasts a proud heritage and now
serves as the only manned airship in the United States Navy's
inventory.
Built by American Blimp Corporation, the MZ-3A is
propeller-driven by two 180 horsepower Lycoming engines producing a
top speed just under 50 knots with an operational payload
capability of up to 2,500 pounds. The manned 178-foot LTA craft 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.
U.S. Navy Photo
“Airships offer extreme utility in C4ISR roles and patrol
missions where persistent stare and reliable communications are
often more important than speed,“ said Bert Race, MZ-3A
Government Flight Representative and Project Manager. “Our
MZ-3A has proven that an airship is a very effective platform for
mission system research and development.”
The MZ-3A is government-owned and contractor-operated. The
contractor, Integrated Systems Solutions, Inc., employs highly
qualified commercial blimp pilots whom the Navy has approved to
command the airship.
Scientific Development Squadron ONE (VXS-1), stationed at the
Naval Air Station, Patuxent River, Md., is the U.S. Navy’s
sole Science & Technology research squadron. Commissioned,
December 2004, VXS-1 employs NP-3D Orions, RC-12 Guardrails, Scan
Eagle UAS, and most recently, the MZ-3A in its support of
NRL-priority airborne research efforts. Since its transfer to VXS-1
in 2009, the MZ-3A has accumulated more than 1,000 mishap-free
flight hours in support of the Naval Research Enterprise and
recently provided assistance during the tragic Gulf of Mexico Oil
Spill in 2010.
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