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Up until the early 1960s, there was active research into nuclear powered aircraft for roles requiring large payloads and/or high endurance. Although airships are incapable of high speeds and altitudes and certainly aren't suitable for infiltrating enemy airspace, they can carry large payloads for extended periods of time. This could open up some interesting roles.

One obvious role would be service as coastal defense platforms. Although they wouldn't be as fast as aircraft, they could stay on station for an extended period of time and carry advanced systems to help identify submarines. Because it's the Cold War, the slow speed might not be too much of a disadvantage, as the airship could deploy rockets, missiles, and nuclear weapons against the submarines.

An airship could also serve as an air defense platform, monitoring for enemy aircraft and missiles and perhaps even carrying interceptor missiles or aircraft to defend against them. Perhaps it could even offer a defense against SLBM attack, launching interceptor missiles at them during their vulnerable boost phase.

Another role could be strategic attack. Although airships would not make good platforms for penetrating enemy airspace, they could carry long range missiles and have a role akin to flying ballistic missile submarines.

Are any of these roles feasible? What about other ones?
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