Floating football-field sized surveillance and weapons systems hybrid aircraft are the focus of a new design from American-based Northrop Grumman. Commissioned by the US Military, the unmanned, 300ft (30.5m) Long Endurance Multi-Intelligence Vehicle (LEMV) are hybrid aircraft capable of flying three-week surveillance missions at altitudes of 20,000ft (6100m) – well above the range of most short-range surface-to-air missiles and anti-aircraft batteries.
Northrop Grumman is providing three of the hybrid LEMVs to the US Military for US$517 million (420€). The LEMV blimp-like flying units will be used in Afghanistan in 2011.
Via Northrop Grumman and Engadget
Comments (2)
I will not fly to Australia with my wife etc, because I dont like planes but I would go in one of these! Would love one for our archery shoot
written by Mick Archer , January 04, 2011
written by Mick Archer , January 04, 2011
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It is real good news that Hybrid Air Vehicles will get to develop the worlds first large hybrid airship. The 517 million dollars might seem a lot but that is normal for the delopment cost of a large aircraft and once the prototypes have been certified the subsequent airships will be cheaper than an equivalent size aircraft.
written by James Bond , June 23, 2010