US Army Plans To Deploy Hybrid Spy Ship Over Afghanistan

September 28th, 2009 by Beth Graddon-Hodgson

By 2011 the US Army’s Space & Missile Defense Command has plans to deploy a spy ship, which will be unmanned over Afghanistan. While this is a controversial move in itself, some eco-enthusiasts are applauding the consideration to model the aircraft after an experimental hybrid airship which took flight on a number of occasions in 2006.

The autonomous airship, which will be based on a model created by Lockheed Martin is a Long Endurance Multi-Intelligence Vehicle (LEMV) called the P-791, will be 250 feet in length, double the size of the original prototype and will have the capability of remaining buoyant in space, while unmanned for up to 3 weeks and 20,000 feet. The cockpit of the airship will be 40 feet long, 15 feet wide and 6 to 8 feet tall and will likely a contain a ground moving target indication radar, a wide motion imagery sensor and other intelligence devices; the tools of the trade necessary for any covert surveillance operation.

A contract will be awarded to begin development of the aircraft this year, which will model the original LEMV which was classified as hybrid as 80% of its ability to remain airborne is based strictly on buoyancy. The remaining 20% of its power is generated by six thrusters which are electrically powered by a central turbo generator, giving the aircraft the propulsion it needs to get to 20,000 feet.

If spy ships can go green, there surely has to be hope for the rest of the world!

Via: Aviation Week

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Tags: afghanistan, hybrid aircraft, hybrid vehicle, LEMV, lockheed martin, Long Endurance Multi-Intelligence Vehicle, Missile Defense Command, spy ship, surveillance, US Army

About the Author

Beth Graddon-Hodgson

Bud Bundy

They should use thin-film solar cells for the top portion, then it could stay up indefinitely…
Bud Bundy

They should use thin-film solar cells for the top portion, then it could stay up indefinitely…
http://extremegreenvillage.com Bob

I’m probably wrong here but it seems that the dirigible would be better designed if it could have enough bouyancy to lift itself plus a 20 or 30% ballast so that it could survive possible attacks or freak weather incidents.

And as far as the height this dirigible will fly, 20,000 feet. There are mountains higher than that in Afghanistan!!

I may be wrong but just on the surface this seems like a start of a great idea but it needs a little work.
http://extremegreenvillage.com Bob

I’m probably wrong here but it seems that the dirigible would be better designed if it could have enough bouyancy to lift itself plus a 20 or 30% ballast so that it could survive possible attacks or freak weather incidents.

And as far as the height this dirigible will fly, 20,000 feet. There are mountains higher than that in Afghanistan!!

I may be wrong but just on the surface this seems like a start of a great idea but it needs a little work.