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By 1923, the U.S. began experimenting with rigid airships, and notable progress was made with the construction of the USS Los Angeles, which served as a testbed for aircraft operation in flight. However, the concepts behind airships posed a challenge to traditional naval operations, requiring sailors and pilots to adapt to a three-dimensional combat environment.
Construction on the first two large airships, the USS Akron and the USS Macon, began in October 1929, involving thousands of workers and engineers dedicated to creating these innovative flying fortresses. Designed to remain airborne for up to a week and scout large expanses of ocean, these airships housed various operational crews and were equipped with extensive technologies, including fighter aircraft for defense.