The Balloon That Came Down Fighting

This is a balloon, drifting serenely in the stratosphere like a wayward party favour, but with a more explosive agenda. Suspended beneath it is a compact cruise missile equipped with diminutive wings for gliding, a pump mechanism, and a parachute for post-mission decorum. The hydrogen balloon ascends to lofty heights—say, 30 kilometres or thereabouts, where hopefully a distracted enemy won't worry about it. It loiters undetected, perhaps for days, buoyed by its hydrogen payload.

When the moment strikes, the pump awakens. It methodically extracts the hydrogen from the balloon, deflating it and transferring the gas directly into the missile's fuel reservoir. No wastage here; the very essence that lifted the assembly now propels its payload.

As the balloon deflates, the entire contraption begins a controlled descent. The missile's small wings provide lift, transforming the fall into a gentle glide, allowing time for the fuel transfer without undue haste or structural protest. Once the hydrogen is fully siphoned, the pump and deflated balloon assembly detach with a flourish, deploying the parachute to ensure a soft landing. Meanwhile, the missile ignites its engine—now brimming with repurposed lift-gas—and streaks towards its target, benefiting from the initial altitude for extended range, stealthy approach, and evasion of those pesky ground-based defenses.

I feel like we did this before, so point it out and I'll delete this copy.