lighter-than-air vehicles - Defense Innovation Marketplace

MZ-3AVehicle Class: Conventional AirshipMission Set: Low-Altitude ISR (FlyingLaboratory)Organization(s): Navy NAVAIRPrimary Contractor(s): Integrated SystemsSolutions, Inc.PM/POC: Mr. Bert Race, NAVAIRProgram Start: 2005Technology Readiness Level (TRL): 9Current Status: Utilized for Army researchTable 31: MZ-3A Program OverviewFigure 48: MZ-3A in Hangar 48The MZ-3A is a Government-owned,Acquired in 2005 and designated MZ-3A,Figure 49: MZ-3A Docked on Mooring Truck 50 preservation that will allow futurethe Navy’s airship is a commercial contractor-operated airship maintained byderivative A-170 advertising blimp built byAmerican Blimp Corporation. It is used asan airborne flying laboratory to service JointScience and Technology efforts involvingIntegrated Systems Solutions, Inc. The MZ-3A is operated from many locationsthroughout the year depending on customerrequirements. 49integration of multiple and/or unusualThe MZ-3A has been used in a variety ofconfiguration mission systems requiringmissions and exercises. For example, it wasairborne evaluation in a highly stableused in the Gulf of Mexico to monitor theenvironment. The MZ-3A is extremely fuelDeepwater Horizon oil spill. It is currentlyefficient and has a flexible payloadserving as a sensor test platform for theconfiguration, which allows for rapidArmy with a primary function of operatingsystems integration and flight clearance. Theas a surrogate sensor platform for quickMZ-3A is suitable for operation as a flyingreaction capabilities under development. 49laboratory because it provides a stable andpersistent field of view, low vibration, and a Navy provided initial funding for MZ-3A inlarge volume per unit payload FY05. The MZ-3A has no sustained budget.accommodation. 49Current plans are to operate the system as acustomer funded platform and as userdemand requires. Operational sustainmentrequires fiscal support from current andfuture customers. Should the Navy everencounter circumstances where there is noimmediate need for its services, the airshipwill be placed in a low-cost deflated state ofreactivation. 4953