Inflating the deficit with new half billion dollar blimp contract!

Perhaps this is part of the Obama stimulus plans to create jobs. A 517 million dollar five year contract was awarded to Northrop Grumman to build a big surveillance blimp. In keeping with its size it is named the Long Endurance Multi-Intelligence Vehicle. Surely the name itself must be worth a couple of million. The blimp will provide commanders with real time intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance information from 20,000 feet.

The contract will provide three of the LEMV's. The first is expected to be floating over the skies of Afghanistan in about 18 months. This is after the first withdrawal of U.S. troops is to take place. Will the U.S. let the Aghan govt. see what they see down below I wonder?

In keeping with its price tag the blimp is big, the size of a football field. The craft can stay aloft for up to three weeks and be piloted or operated remotely. The shell has a projected life of 5 years. No doubt then for a hundred million or so you can probably rejuvenate it. Or perhaps they are just disposable.

According to military sources the blimp can do the work of 12 predator aircraft. The LEMV will not be armed so it can be used only in relatively secure areas. One wonders where it will land. It would need to make sure that it landed in a secure area.