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Northrop Grumman Eyes Indian Market for 

Delayed LEMV

AIN DEFENSE PERSPECTIVE » JANUARY 11, 2013

by  NEELAM MATHEWS and CHRIS POCOCK

The long-endurance multi-intelligence vehicle (LEMV) first flew last August. Northrop Grumman has proposed the hybrid airship to India for border and maritime surveillance. (Photo: Northrop Grumman)

January 11, 2013, 10:10 AM

Northrop Grumman has proposed its long-endurance multi-intelligence vehicle (LEMV) hybrid airship to meet new Indian requirements for border surveillance, AIN has learned from a senior official at the country’s Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA). The huge, unmanned LEMV was being developed for U.S. Army missions over Afghanistan, but has fallen behind schedule. Itfirst flew last August, one year later than promised.

In a presentation to the MHA, Northrop Grumman described the LEMV as a lighter-than-air (LTA) vehicle that offers “a revolutionary capability in persistent surveillance with reconfigurable payloads to meet emerging multi-mission needs.” Discussions began a year ago, followed by presentations to the Border Security Force (BSF), which is controlled by the MHA. The official said that Northrop Grumman had emphasized cost savings resulting from a reduced force structure, since one LTA could replace 25 medium-altitude, long-endurance (Male) UAVs, the company claimed. It suggested a cost of only $20,000 to keep the unmanned LEMV in the air for three weeks, carrying a 2,750-pound sensor and communications payload. Northrop Grumman offered to integrate indigenous intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) payload options on the LTA, which has modular payload bays.