When the Balloon Goes Up: Barrage Balloons for Low-Level Air Defense

摘要

Barrage balloons were effectively used to assist in countering low-level air attacks in both World War I and II. Great Britain was convinced of its value and liberally employed aerial barrages throughout both conflicts. The United States followed suit with a large barrage balloon program during World War II. The balloons are gone, but the low-level threat still poses a problem. The barrage balloon can still provide effective, force-enhancing protection against this form of attack. Because of their point defense capability, barrage balloons are ideally suited for air base defense.