Chris Pocock has been covering the defense beat for AIN for over 30&nbsp;years. He is a British citizen and a graduate of the University of Cambridge. Chris worked in the air cargo business for ten years before becoming a full-time writer in 1983. He subsequently edited two air cargo journals before becoming AIN’s Defense Editor. He retired from that position in 2018, but still contributes to the publication. Chris has written extensively on aerial reconnaissance, including four books on the history of the U-2 spyplane. He also lectures on this and other topics related to intelligence-gathering in the Cold War.

Defense Correspondent

Chris Pocock

Lockheed Martin has gained another Letter of Intent (LOI) for its LMH-1 Hybrid Airship—but a firm launch order is still awaited. French start-up company Hybrid Air Freighters (HAF) signed with Hybrid Enterprises for up to 12 of the unique machines, worth potentially $500 million. Hybrid Enterprises is LM’s “exclusive reseller,” charged with finding customers.


“We are keen to implement such an impressive innovation in the logistics market. The LMH-1 will open a new era for remote cargo delivery,” said Hubert de Contenson, CEO of HAF. He has a logistics background, whereas his partner Jean-Paul Troadec, who was also present at the signing, has 40 years' experience in aerospace. HAF is talking to various oil-and-gas exploration companies who could be end-users for the LMH-1.


Rob Binns, chief executive officer of Hybrid Enterprises, said that LM could deliver an LMH-1 about 30 months after a launch, with production taking the first 18 months, and flight test plus certification the remaining 12 months. “We have a certification plan agreed with the FAA and Transport Canada. Now we will have to talk further with EASA,” he said.


Binns added that Hybrid Enterprises and LM are “close” to finalizing a purchase agreement for the LMH-1 with the other LOI holder, Straightline Aviation. This British company is also considering 12 hybrids to serve the remote lift market. &nbsp;

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