![]() ![]() airports, sea ports, and other facilities) given their Vertical Take Off Landing (VTOL) capabilities and ability to land and operate at unprepared surfaces including on sand and water. They have the potential ability to operate from a number of different bases (e.g.Airships offer significantly more cost efficient operations (compared to both rotary and fixed wing aircraft) as the majority of their lift is provided by buoyancy as opposed to powered aerodynamic lift, therefore their fuel burn rates are significantly less.The squeeze on infrastructure throughout the world, especially in aviation: will we be able to build airports at every desired location or will we have to consolidate and focus on hubs and utilise secondary ports and other transport modes for further distribution of people and goods?Īll these factors play into the strengths of cargo airships, as:.each subsequent aircraft design striving to increase fuel efficiency), however there is only so much incremental evolution that can occur before a revolutionary step change is required. The ever continuous focus on mode efficiency (e.g.The renewed focus on the environmental impact of aviation operations due to increased awareness by companies and consumers.Anyone can see the future of aviation is in remotely piloted and or semi/fully autonomous operations: it is a matter of time frames, not if it will happen. ![]() The fast pace emergence of drone technology which is quickly branching out and gathering momentum in operations.Advances in technology being integrated at a faster rate into every aspect of operations.The aviation industry is at an interesting turning point with: * Lockheed Martin currently have letters of intent for 24 LMH-1’s which should enter production in early 2019. Status ( Op- Operating/ Demo- Demonstrator only) Table 1- Airship designs vs B747-8F – a size comparison The following Table 1, gives an idea of the scale of potential cargo airships vs one of the largest HTA cargo aircraft, the Boeing 747-8F. There are many designs for cargo airships, however what has changed in recent years is that several manufacturers have now flown demonstration models and in the case of UK manufacturer Hybrid Air Vehicles the full sized demonstrator “Airlander” is currently the largest aircraft (by length) in the world. ![]() Cargo airships are an emerging mode of freight transportation (designed specifically for the transportation and handling of freight) which have had many theorised designs and uses over the years, but now look to be finally emerging from the realms of theory into production in the near future, with Lockheed Martin’s LMH-1 having signed letters of intent for 24 airships and production looking to start in early 2019. Theses airships utilise modern technology to achieve a more cost effective, faster and safer operation than airships in the past, demonstrating the potential of the modern form of this mode of transportation.Īirships are unlikely to significantly challenge traditional heavier than air (HTA) aircraft for passenger operations, however they are well suited to the transportation of cargo with its reduced priority on speed and the airship’s ability to offer a more cost effective service. The best example of modern airship technology in operation are the Zeppelin NTs (operating with DZR and Goodyear, primarily for scenic flights and filming. These airships utilise modern technology such as material sciences in the form of light-weight polymers for the envelope and carbon fibre frames, vectored thrust propeller engines, and modern avionics. Airships may be perceived to be old technology, but the modern generation of airships employ some of the most advanced technology in the aeronautical and aerospace industries. When most people hear the word airship the name Hindenburg would most likely be the first thought that comes to mind, but it has now been over 80 years since the Hindenburg disaster, and airships, like other aircraft, have progressed significantly in technology. This technology predates traditional aircraft by 50 years and held the record for the longest single passenger flight for more than 47 years until the introduction of the Boeing 747SP in 1975. The Lockheed Marin P-791 demonstrator (Lockheed Martin)Īn airship is an aircraft that utilises both aerodynamic and aerostatic lift (buoyancy through a lighter than air gas), the new old technology. ![]()
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