It has been revealed that US now plans to deploy an autonomous, free-flying, surveillance airship in Afghanistan Air Space.  The idea gathered support and also gaining lot of momentum. Consortium consisted of the US Army’s Space & Missile Defense Command is scheduled to be established by October 1, and contract will be awarded to Martin Lockheed for the Long Endurance Multi-Intelligence Vehicle (LEMV) demonstration by the end of December, reported Aviation Week. The LEMV will be 250ft long, and designed to loiter at 20,000ft for up to 21 days carrying a 2,500lb ISR payload. LEMV is a hybrid airship, heavier than air, 80% of its lift coming from buoyancy and 20% from aerodynamics. Six thrusters – three each side, powered by individual turbo-diesels provide propulsion for take-off and climb. Electrical power for loitering comes from a central turbo-generator. Structural stability is the result of its non-rigid the three-lobe envelope design. The option to pilot the airship is also available when flown manned for self-deployment.  Long and persistent ISR missions are unmanned for for obvious reasons. An air cushion landing system allows the airship to be maneuvered for taxiing and take off, and sucks the vehicle down on to the ground – or sea surface – for landing, loading and unloading, sources disclosed .

 Airship

US relatively fast deployment has been possible due to the fact that the airship will be basically a larger version (twice in size) of Lockheed’s P-791, which has already flown six times and can be seen in an impressive video below, courtesy Engadget. Keep in mind that the LEMV will be twice the size of P-791.

This hybrid airship can hang over at 20,000 feet and will be able to carryout strategic surveillance a large area underneath providing real time information to the Command and Control Centre. How far it is going to supplement and contribute towards war effort, is yet to be seen.