Md. Congressman No Longer Supporting Military Blimp Program

ANNAPOLIS, Md. (WJZ) -- Dramatic reversal. Congressman Dutch Ruppersberger says he is no longer supporting a controversial military surveillance blimp program. One of those blimps broke free last year, dragging a cable and causing tens of thousands of dollars in damage.

Tracey Leong explains why the congressman has shifted his position on the military blimp.

After extensive research, the congressman says the program is just too dangerous to support, and he doesn't want to risk the lives or safety of his constituents.

Panic on the ground when a military blimp broke free in October after the cables securing it snapped.

"The white blimp of death. It was right over top of me. It looked like you could reach out and touch the blimp," one witness said.

The blimp traveled 150 miles from Aberdeen to Pennsylvania, dragging a mile long cable, destroying properties in its path.

"The game changed when it broke, when there was a mistake, human error. And I don't want to put my constituents in fear that it could happen again," Congressman Dutch Ruppersberger said.

Rep. Ruppersberger criticized the program after the massive and costly disaster.

While the congressman no longer supports JLENS, he does support the program's concept of protecting our nation.

"We have to move forward with this concept. It needs to be thoroughly tested, but it should be in an area that's not populated," said Ruppersberger.

The blimp was in the testing phase when it broke free. It was one of two blimps designed to detect low-flying threats.

After the malfunction, many felt it was unreliable and a waste of money--but the need for this type of technology still remains a priority.

"American lives are at risk, so we need to have the technology to protect us from all the danger that is out there," Ruppersberger said.

The Army spent close to $3 billion researching and developing the JLENS program.

The second blimp is grounded in Aberdeen.