Navy to deploy gigantic airship over Gulf oil spill

It seems like airships are the new hot vehicles for the U.S. military. Amazingly efficient, they're able to stay in the air at lower altitudes for longer than any traditional plane, making them perfect for specialized missions that require long periods of aerial observation.

One such mission? Supporting the cleanup of the oil-contaminated Gulf. The U.S. Navy has just deployed their massive MZ-3A airship to the area, where it'll survey large patches of sea and land to help coordinate all of the skimming, burning and dispersing that's going on down there.

So are we entering the new golden age of the airship? It sure seems that way.

Popsci via Inhabitat