The SSP (Sea Scout Pusher) class blimps were developed in Great Britain during World War I from the earlier SS class blimp. The main role of these craft was to escort convoys and scout or search for German U-Boats. In 1916 design commenced at RNAS Kingsnorth on an SS class -type airship that would have a more comfortable purpose-built car and not simply be an adaptation of an aeroplane fuselage.