The first of 5 new blimp UAVs for the HCS Navy has entered service. The Cholada Z-100, known as MQZ-1 in HCSN service, began a patrol along the Reenath reefs yesterday. The project is a joint HCSN/HCSAF one as the air force are also keen to explore blimp UAVs for surveillance and COIN purposes.
One problem found with the MQZ-1 was wind sheer made control of the blimp more difficult than hoped. As coastal area do tend to be windy Cholada have pledged to work on the problem, the second MQZ-1 will have uprated powerplant and further examples will have aerodynamic improvements.
The HCSN are also looking at an armed version for anti-piracy operations.
