PARIS, June 20, 2017. Hybrid Air Freighters (HAF) has signed a Letter of Intent to purchase up to 12 Lockheed Martin Hybrid Airships for US$500 million from reseller Hybrid Enterprises.

Paris-based HAF said it has been set up to act as an owner-operator of the aircraft.

"We are keen to implement such an impressive innovation in the logistics market," said HAF CEO Hubert de Contenson. "The LMH-1 will open a new era for remote cargo delivery that is free from costly ground infrastructure and will provide a sustainable and affordable solution to remote cargo operations around the globe."

According to his LinkedIn profile, Hubert de Contenson was CFO of Bolloré Logistics between 1988 and 1993 and deputy general manager of the automotive logistics specialist CAT Groupe between 2001 and 2008.

"With a 21-ton cargo payload and the ability to land on any surface, the LMH-1 Hybrid Airship is designed to revolutionize remote cargo delivery," added Rob Binns, CEO of Hybrid Enterprises.

Lockheed Martin said Hybrid Airships require little or no fixed ground infrastructure and burn significantly less fuel compared to conventional aircraft, making them an environmentally friendly solution to remote cargo delivery.

In August 2016, remote site specialist Pacific Rim Logistics announced it had partnered with with UK-based Hybrid Airship owner and operator Straightline Aviation to operate the aircraft in support of Alaska's oil and gas industry.