US Army's New Surveillance Hybrid Airship~

To assist U.S. troops in Afghanistan, the United States Army has awarded a contract to Northrup Grumman to build its LEMV surveillance ship. This surveillance airship is longer than a football field. It can carry 2,500-pounds while hovering 20,000-feet above sea level at a whopping 34 mph(watch it in action!). LEMV will sustain altitudes of 20,000 feet for a three-week period and it will operate within national and international airspace. They are expected to go into use by the end of 2011~

via : engadget