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US defence blimp on the loose US defence blimp on the loose
(35 minutes later)
A high-tech US military blimp designed to help detect a missile attack has come loose from its moorings and is floating free. A high-tech US military blimp designed to detect a missile attack has come loose from its moorings and is floating free.
The aerostat, which normally floats above Aberdeen, Maryland, had drifted into Pennsylvania, the North American Aerospace Defense Command (Norad) said. The aerostat, which floats above Aberdeen, Maryland, had drifted into Pennsylvania, the North American Aerospace Defense Command (Norad) said.
It is not clear how the blimp broke free.It is not clear how the blimp broke free.
Two F-16 fighter jets have been sent to monitor the blimp and anyone who spots it is asked to call emergency services.Two F-16 fighter jets have been sent to monitor the blimp and anyone who spots it is asked to call emergency services.
The aircraft is known as a Joint Land Attack Cruise Missile Defense Elevated Netted Sensor System (JLENS) and has been criticised by privacy advocates. The blimp came loose around 12:00 local time (16:00 GMT). The defence department has said it is working with US aviation officials to ensure air traffic safety in the area.
The aircraft, more than 200ft (61m) long, is known as a Joint Land Attack Cruise Missile Defense Elevated Netted Sensor System (JLENS) and has been criticised by privacy advocates.
A recent investigation by the Baltimore Sun found the programme had been "hobbled by defective software, vulnerability to bad weather and poor reliability".
Multiple reports placed the blimp near Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania, in the centre of the state, according to local media.
Two Twitter parody accounts - one which had been tweeting as the blimp for several years - reacted quickly.
"Peace out losers," one said.