Deep Cuts Could Be Coming To Pentagon's Troubled Blimp Program

ABERDEEN, Md. (WJZ) -- Deep cuts could be coming to the Pentagon's troubled radar blimp program. It comes less than two months after one of those giant balloons broke free in Maryland.

Rick Ritter with the proposed slashes to funding.

According to our media partner, The Baltimore Sun, Congress is proposing a $30 million cut to the program, which has been under scrutiny since that massive blimp got loose back in October.

The blimp is part of what's been called the JLENS defense program, that included a second blimp in Baltimore County. Both used powerful radar to detect missile threats.

The $2.7 billion program has been called into question since one of the giant balloons broke loose from its mooring at Aberdeen Proving Ground in Harford County.

It drifted more than 150 miles into rural Pennsylvania, leaving behind a trail of destruction before finally coming to a rest.

Legislation put forth this week would give the program $10.5 million, but President Obama had asked for $40.5 million.

It's still unclear what impact the funding cut could have on the long-term future of JLENS.

Both blimps will remain grounded until the initial investigation is complete.

The House is expected to vote on the budget bill Friday.

Key lawmakers had said they were awaiting the outcome of a military investigation into the incident before making decisions about whether to fund the balloons, known as the Joint Land Attack Cruise Missile Defense Elevated Netted Sensor System, in the future.

The balloons, which carry sophisticated radars designed to detect cruise missiles and other airborne threats heading for Washington, D.C., have faced questions over their cost and effectiveness.