Jump to content

Aeroscraft

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

This is an old revision of this page, as edited by Wiki Mateo (talk | contribs) at 03:30, 13 February 2013 (→Flight testing). The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this revision, which may differ significantly from the current revision.

The Aeroscraft model ML866 is a planned 20-ton lifting capacity[1] rigid airship, to be built by the Worldwide Aeros Corporation. There has also been announced a 60-ton ML868 and the 500-ton ML86X.[2]

A scaled-down prototype was made in 2008.[citation needed] A 2006 article in POPSCI reported Worldwide Aeros Corporation was developing a prototype to be completed by 2010.[3] It uses technology from the cancelled DARPA WALRUS HULA airship.[4]

Technical details

In 2009 the developers Aeros claimed the Aeroscraft will be 210 feet (64 m) in length, have a top speed of 120 knots (222 km/h), and a flight ceiling of 12,000 feet (3,700 m).[1][5] News media claimed it could be modified to carry up to 180 passengers.[6]

Technology

The Aeroscraft uses a combination of aerodynamic and aerostatic principles to remain airborne. Approximately two-thirds of the craft's lift is provided by helium gas. The remaining lift is provided by the forward thrust of the craft's propellers, in combination with its aerodynamic shape,[5] and its canards (forward fins) and empennage (rear fins).[7]

As well as its horizonal propellers, the Aeroscraft has six downward-pointing turbofan jet engines for vertical take-off and landing.[7] The craft also uses Dynamic Buoyancy Management, a novel technology which controls buoyancy by compressing its helium gas into pressurized tanks while taking air from the surrounding atmosphere into the vacant space inside the rigid structure, thus creating negative buoyancy. Releasing the compressed helium into the gas bags expanding inside the structure displaces the air and creates positive buoyancy.[7] These systems make the Aeroscraft capable of landing on rough or snowy terrain, or on water.[8][unreliable source?] A similar buoyancy scheme was a central theme of The Great Gas Bag Race, written in 1964 and published in 1966.[9]

Uses

For regular commercial cargo and the military

The Aeroscraft could be used to transport military vehicles or supplies to difficult terrain. Likewise, it could be used to transport civilian cargo to remote locations or locations with difficult terrain or poor roads. This would take advantage of the large cargo space and the craft’s ability to land on any terrain. The manufacturer envisions commercial use as a cargo carrier which could deliver a large amount of merchandise from a centralized location.[10]

A prototype of the Aeroscraft prepared for its first flight in 2013. It is 250 ft long, only half the size of the planned full-scale version, but will incorperate the same structure and avionics. The full-sized Aeroscraft will fly in 2016. It will have a 3,000 mi (4,800 km) range and a 66 ton cargo capacity. Its top speed will be 120 kn (140 mph) with a service ceiling of 18,000 ft. The Aeroscraft's primary advantage over fixed-wing cargo aircraft is that it doesn't need a runway to land.[11]

For passengers and tourists

One of the civilian uses of an Aeroscraft would be as a luxury private yacht. Many facilities could potentially be included on board, for example, large staterooms, dining areas, theaters, and casinos.

Another use of an Aeroscraft could be for sightseeing and long-distance cruises—much like a cruise on a luxury ocean liner or cruise ship. This is made possible by the fact that Aeroscraft can land on any terrain (see above) and fly at low and comfortable altitudes.

The Aeroscraft would also be able to reach isolated communities, such as remote islands in the Atlantic and Pacific oceans, which at present have no air links, often because the islands do not have large enough flat areas to allow for construction of runways.

Flight testing

The first flight of the Aeroscraft demonstrator occurred on January 3, 2013. It hovered at 12 feet for several minutes in a military hanger in Tustin, California.[12]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b "Aeros showcased the Aeroscraft at the National Defense Transportation Association, 63rd Annual Forum and Exposition in Nashville, Tennessee". Aeros. September 23, 2009. Retrieved 23 July 2010. 60 tons useful payload, 120 knots speed, 3,100 nautical miles range and 12,000 ft operating altitude
  2. ^ "Aeroscraft: The future of luxury travel?". CNET News. July 17, 2012. Retrieved 18 Jul 2012.
  3. ^ Tompkins, Joshua. The Flying Luxury Hotel. Popular Science. "is in the early stages of developing a prototype and expects to have one completed by 2010" Accessed on 15-10-2010.
  4. ^ [1]
  5. ^ a b "Aeroscraft - Model Aeros ML866 Specifications". Aeros. Retrieved 2010-07-23.
  6. ^ Dodson, Sean (2008-06-09). "Could Zeppelin's airships soon be gracing our skies again?". The Guardian. could be adapted to manage anything up to 180
  7. ^ a b c Grabianowski, Ed. "How the Aeroscraft Will Work". How Stuff Works. Archived from the original on 19 May 2007. Retrieved 2007-05-15. {{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |month= (help); Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  8. ^ "Cruise ship of the sky?". CNET. 2006-03-06. Retrieved 2007-05-14.
  9. ^ "Boy's Life". Retrieved 2012-08-10.
  10. ^ Tompkins, Joshua. The Flying Luxury Hotel. Popular Science. Accessed on 15-10-2007.
  11. ^ Battlefield Cargo Airship Nears First Flight - Armedforces-Int.com, January 7, 2013
  12. ^ High-tech cargo airship undergoing tests - Militarytimes.com, January 30, 2013
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Aeroscraft&oldid=537984437"