Mysterious Blimp in China

interestingengineering.com...

In a stunning revelation, satellite images have unveiled a never-before-seen Chinese military blimp stationed at a remote desert base in northwestern China. This groundbreaking development, first brought to light by exclusive satellite imagery obtained by CNN, has the potential to alter the landscape of global aerospace technology significantly.

The satellite images, captured by US-based BlackSky in November 2022, appear to show a massive 100-foot-long (30-meter) blimp situated on a long runway amidst the barren desert landscape.

The discovery comes just months before a Chinese spy balloon was shot down off the coast of South Carolina, adding further intrigue to China's airship capabilities. This imagery also seems to support discovered Chinese patents on similar technology by the PLA's newly formed "unit 63660."

we all know they love to copy US tech, esp military
do they have specific plans for this? or are they just making them because the USA has them?

anyone know anything about?

The implications of this technology are immense, as Oklahoma Aerospace Institute Executive Director Jamey Jacobs explains: "This blimp could serve as a 'submarine of the skies,' boasting dedicated propulsion and navigation capabilities, which would enable it to hover over a specific area for extended durations."

How is that immense?

It's the definition of a blimp.

a reply to: ElGoobero

Airships have been discussed for oversize cargo, that doesn't need to be there quickly, persistent comms relays, and many other missions. Without a better look than a satellite can give there's no way to tell what this could be used for beyond speculating based on other data.

a reply to: ElGoobero

The now retired Boeing 747 was just over 200 feet long.


The ill-fated airship "Hindenberg" was 3 times longer than a 747.


I'd hardly call a 100FT Chinese blimp "massive", or in any way a notable feat of aeronautical engineering.

a reply to: Mantiss2021
If they described it more accurately, then it wouldn't make very good clickbait, so it wouldn't get as many clicks and views...


The old goodyear blimps were about 150 feet long and the new ones are almost 250 feet long and they are nothing but floating billboards as far as I know, so 100 feet long doesn't seem impressive regardless of the purpose.