LEMV (via U.S. Army & Northrop Grumman)
After a lengthy setback, Northrop Grumman is set to test-fly the US Army’s new ISR (Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance) platform around the second week of June, 2012. The LEMV (Long Endurance Multi-Intelligence Vehicle) spy blimp was developed by Northrop using ‘non-exotic’ (non-stealth) materials for the vehicles hull which is about the size of a football field. The pilotless dirigible can be outfitted with multiple payload ‘gondolas’ (Flexible Murphy Bay modules) that feature RADAR, full-motion 3600 camera’s, SIGNIT (Signals Intelligence) acclamation systems and LOS/BLOS (Line Of Sight/Beyond Line Of Sight) COMM Relay systems with interoperability with the Army’s DCGS-A computer system.
The massive blimp can carry up to 15,000 Lbs of payload depending on mission parameters and can stay aloft for 21 days when configured for ISR. The company states that the blimp has a greater than 22,000 ft ceiling capability with a ‘dash’ speed of 80 kts (or 92 mph) and a range of 1,500 to 2,400 nautical miles based on load. The LEMV is set to be tested in Lakehurst New Jersey and then head out to Florida where it will pick up its payload of sensitive gear. If all goes well and the different systems all check out, it will then head overseas (Afghanistan?) for a ‘front-line’ demonstration of its capabilities.
The LEMV blimp is by no means a first of its kind as the US Air Force has the MavShip ‘Blue Devil’ that does almost the same function as the LEMV, and the US Navy/Marine Corps have been using PGSS (Precision Ground Surveillance System) blimps throughout Afghanistan for quite some time now. Unlike other UAV’s these ISR vehicles can carry more equipment and can be monitored 24/7 which can decrease the amount of IED emplacements in and around monitored areas, but they are more vulnerable over their winged counterparts. I wonder if these airships will be fitted with some sort of weapons system? (If they haven't already.)
Cabe
