In terms of airship survivability, it is similar to the survivability of a C-17
or a 747 airplane, and it may be even less vulnerable because it avoids airfields
that are common targets and does not fly in the normal air lanes or commonly
used sea lanes. In recent army studies at the Center for Army Analysis, it has
been determined that its radar cross section makes it difficult for large missiles to
lock on. Further, its slow speed is below the engagement profile of most large
missiles, so that it would not interact. And if it did, the fragmentation would
only create small holes rather than large ones that would result in dangerous
tears. The explosive blast has little effect. As it turns out, a 100-ft bag of helium
placed between the explosion and a person nearby offers good protection. More-
over, deflation rates following the creation of perforations are also very slow.
In another form of attack, a heat-seeking missile would more likely hit
the engines, which are at the ends of a power-wing the size of a 747 wing.
Finally, it is difficult for jets to shoot down airships when using guns, because
the size and slow speed make it difficult to aim accurately.