By utilizing the lift generated by a helium-filled LTA vehicle in tandem with the aerodynamic lift of a hybrid structure, heavy loads can be transported in an economical manner with vehicles requiring little existing infrastructure.
ILC Dover developed and produced the envelope structure for the Long Endurance Multi-Intelligence Vehicle. It was designed to provide extended ISR coverage by carrying higher mass payload sensors to high altitudes for long periods.
The LEMV is the world’s largest-existing hybrid vehicle and is being evaluated as a heavy lift vehicle at lower operational altitudes. ILC Dover performed the following activities for the LEMV heavy lift vehicle program:
Detailed design
Materials development
Production
Field support