Aerostat
|
USGS_Blimp1.jpg
An aerostat is a tethered or moored balloon often shaped like an airship and usually filled with helium. Aerostats differ from airships and balloon (aircraft) in that airships and balloons are both free flying whereas aerostats are tied to the ground.
The term "aerostat" is sometimes informally used to refer to any lighter than air aircraft. However, in modern technical usage, it refers only to moored balloons
The barrage balloons of World War I and World War II were examples of aerostats. Today, Aerostats are used primarily as long duration sensor platforms.
Surveillance aerostats have also been used in the 2004 American occupation of Iraq. Utilizing a high-tech optics system to detect and observe enemies from miles away and have been used accompanying foot patrols in Baghdad.