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is this some sort of blimp?

stello1001

stello1001

Professional Newb
Full Member
Minuteman
    • Feb 20, 2017
    4,126
    2,908
    Corpus Christi TX
    So I'm currently living right next to the border. We always have blimps around to monitor weather and illegal activity. We also always have customs and border protection as well as Texas Ops flying around. But this? I've never seen one of these. To me it's not a blimp but what do I know. It is 5 mils wide @ around 1100 yards.

    IMG_20200302_104532_059.jpg

    20200302_110414.jpg
    20200302_110517.jpg


    edit to add:

    This appears to be right over the rio Grande or very very close to it on either side...
     
    Last edited:
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    That's a research balloon.

    We also have tethered blimps on the border, they're called Aerostats, and they are US Government intelligence gathering objects.

    It's not a great idea to be raising Cain about them. They do important and valuable work, how they do it is classified, and the good folks who do it benefit from our own benevolent blindness around the subject.

    Greg
     
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    pmclaine said:
    You could have put a round through it and investigated it terrestrially.
    Click to expand...

    Beat me to it but great minds think alike.

    I was going to say a couple rounds through it would likely get you an answer quickly, though you would probably not like the answer.
     
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    Lmfao, a target that size and at only sub 1200 yards, extremely easy hit. Did I mention it is dead calm and no wind right now?

    On a more serious note though, I wasn't wanting to shoot at it. I only aimed at it for a minute or two to get a better look at it and take a picture.

    I also agree they could care less if the people know about it. They have so many blimps and lots of machinery & equipment right by the river that they don't give a damn if we know about it. I've gone fishing down at the rio Grande and I've been side by side with coast guard. They crack jokes with me and let me fish right by them. I think they should be more worried about the cartels on the other side trying to take down all their equipment.

    Pretty cool to see that aerial balloons though. In all my life, they had never brought one over in these areas. I've seen the blimps, I've seen drones, and I think I've seen what I believe was an unmanned aerial vehicles but I couldn't be so sure. Never a balloon though.

    Thanks all for sharing some knowledge.
     
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    Its s Heliostat and they have been posted along the US/Mexican border in NM for many years. Contain downward looking radar to locate low flying aircraft which were previously undetectable when flying between mountain ranges. Wouldn't mess with it.
     
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    I didn't see tail markings, number identification or an American flag.

    Could be coyote lookout for all you know.

    Local bp guys should know if friend or foe.

    Don't show them the scope picture.
     
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    Not knowing owner / operator's nationality being on the border makes it a threat.
    Which side of the Rio Grande is it teathered on?
     
    That's not one of the border blimps (aerostat). Heliostat is what moves the panels/mirrors in a solar farm.
     
    Last edited:
    As long as it's USA operated, the organizational unit and workings of the divise is
    nothing more than idol curiosity to me. I don't break laws so I don't worry.

    UTO's are another thing.
     
    What kind of glass ans what reticle?
     
    I'm wondering how many folks posting here live within 50 miles of the Border and spend time in and around Sierra Vista, AZ.

    I suggest we leave this discussion up to Uncle Sugar and his boys and girls.

    They have your answers, and I'm guessing they're not really inclined to bandy them about here.

    Neither should we.

    Greg
     
    Looks like a newer generation JLENS built by Ratheon.

    We had 1 outside DC and another at Aberdeen proving grounds for a few years. They could track many vehicles, boats and planes simultaneously from NC to Boston. John Q public was told these 2 were not equipped with the HD Day/night video surveillance or the laser designators etc.

    about 1 year into the planned 3 year deployment, the one at Aberdeen broke loose & knocked out power to like 27,000 dragging it's tether through power lines on it's way up north. 2 PA state troopers finally shot it down with about 100 rounds from there 12 ga's (assuming buck shot).
     
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    Greg Langelius * said:
    I'm wondering how many folks posting here live within 50 miles of the Border and spend time in and around Sierra Vista, AZ.

    I suggest we leave this discussion up to Uncle Sugar and his boys and girls.

    They have your answers, and I'm guessing they're not really inclined to bandy them about here.

    Neither should we.

    Greg
    Click to expand...

    Its been 20 years but I owned a ranch 40 miles north of Del Rio Texas. Things were still pretty calm then. Steady steam of Wet's coming north looking for work but no trouble to speak of. They were always polite and just moved along, maybe ask for some water.

    Knowing a lot about whats going on just south of the border TODAY I appreciate having those keeping watch. As a citizen Id like to know more.
     
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    It’s an enemy aircraft. Fire at will and report back with the result


    * The above advice is pure theory and in no way can be held against the poster. Peoples acting on above theory assumes all legal ramifications that may come from said action*

    post acknowledgement before proceeding.
    ?
     
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