The US Army Space & Missile Defense Command plans on constructing and deploying an autonomous, free flying long endurance multi-intelligent vehicle (LEMV) to the Afghan theater, in the next 18 months. The vehicle is derivative of Lockheed Martin's Skunk Works self funded experimental hybrid airship the P-791, which flew six times in 2006.

The new more capable LEMV Airship will be 250ft long, twice as long as the P-791 and will be designed to loiter at an altitude of 20,000ft, for an astonishing 21 days performing persistent ISR Surveillance operations.

The LEMV's design is a 'hybrid airship', meaning that it uses a combination of air and thrust to remain aloft. Since it will be heavier than air, 80% of its lift will come from buoyancy, while the other 20% from aerodynamics. Propulsion will be from six thrusters, three per side powered by individual turbo-diesels for take-off and climb, and electrically from a central turbo-generator for loiter. A unique three three-lobe envelope design will provide for non-rigid structural stability. Hanging under the envelope, behind the sometimes-occupied cockpit, will be a payload bay 40ft long, 15ft wide and 6-8ft tall, that can house up to 2,500 lbs of mixed enemy hunting goodies; from moving-target indication radar and multi-camera wide-area motion imagery sensor to signals-intelligence and multiple EO/IR sensors.

An air cushion landing system will allow 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.

With it's unprecedented flexibility and persistent loitering capabilities, the new LEMV should provide a much needed boost to the Pentagons' ability to scour the vast Afghan landscapes in search of the enemy.