Having experienced the stimulus of Drones, will Airships do the same?
Hybrid Air Vehicles introducing the “Flying Bum”
Lockheed Martin adds technology to its Version of the Zepplins
Aviation recently benefitted from the innovation of miniaturizing aircraft with the introduction of drones/uas technology. Now “giantization” may further stimulate the industry with application in logistics, heavy cargo, remote distribution, tourism in environmentally sensitive destinations and luxury transportation. As the smaller transformation was driven by new smaller powerplants and control/navigation systems. These NexGen airships also incorporate advances in the same elements PLUS greater accuracy (navigation and weather), quieter propulsion, new lighter/stronger materials and creative use of the airship’s body for lift.
The two leading developers of these exciting airplanes are Hybrid Air Vehicles and Lockheed Martin. Below are descriptions of their emerging designs.
The world’s largest aircraft Airlander 10 just got bigger — check out the ‘The Flying Bum’
Feb 1, 2020, 8:19 AM
New Airlander 10 renderings. Hybrid Air Vehicles
- The Airlander 10 — a hybrid aircraft vehicle with multiple uses — was first announced as the world’s longest aircraft, and its recent update on January 23has made it even longer.
- The full-length interior will be 320 feet long, making it about 5% longer than its previous 302-foot design, BBC reported.
- The aircraft has been nicknamed the “The Flying Bum” due to its appearance.
- Visit Business Insider’s homepage for more stories.
The Airlander 10 — a hybrid aircraft vehicle with multiple uses — was first announced by its maker Hybrid Air Vehicles as the world’s longest aircraft, and its recent update on January 23 has made it even longer.
The new production design changes in the announcement that included its new length — increased by 5% — shows improvements in multiple areas of the aircraft, including an increase in its efficiency and functionality, according to its maker.
Airlander 10’s maker claims the craft has “minimal” infrastructure needs and is relatively quiet while still allowing it to soar to up to 20,000 feet.
It has a 10-ton maximum payload and can be in the air for five days with a maximum range of 4,000 nautical miles, about 4,603 miles, with its hybrid-electric capabilities.
However, the payload, flight duration, and range numbers all change per aircraft built depending on the intention of its use.
Airlander 10 has multiple potential applications: defense and security, logistics, luxury travel, maritime and coast guards, and transportation for private clients, according to its maker, and these uses can all be achieved with different interiors and accessories.
The initial idea for The Flying Bum was announced several years ago, but the new production version was just revealed on January 11.
Keep scrolling to see what changes were made and how they will improve the aircraft:
The drag has been reduced in the new model. This was done by changing the shape of the Airlander 10 and modifying the propulsion and landing instruments, among other things.
New Airlander 10 renderings. Hybrid Air Vehicles
By doing this, HAV decreased the amount of fuel needed for the flight, giving it 75% fewer emissions than a “comparable aircraft,” according to its maker.
New Airlander 10 renderings. Hybrid Air Vehicles
Its maker also claims that the handling has been improved for actions including take-off, climbing, cruising, descending, and landing.
Airliner 10 renderings from 2019. Hybrid Air Vehicles
A bow thruster, which increases its handling at slow speeds and while on the ground, has also been included.
These changes decrease the amount of work the pilot needs to do while increasing its capability to fly under certain environments, such as high wind speeds.
Unlike jets, yachts, or helicopters, The Flying Bum can take-off and land from land, ice, or desert environments because it doesn’t need the typical take-off and landing infrastructures. This also makes it cheaper to operate.
A worker stands under the Airlander 10 hybrid airship during its unveiling in Cardington, Britain March 21, 2016. Darren Staples/REUTERS
There’s also a new forward propulsion system, which helps during take-off and landing by increasing its control while decreasing its weight and drag.
Airliner 10 renderings from 2019. Hybrid Air Vehicles
The new cabin now has more internal space at 2,100 square feet. The full-length interior will be 320 feet long, making it about 5% longer than the previous 302-foot design, BBC reported.
Airliner 10 renderings from 2019. Hybrid Air Vehicles
“Dining, hosting, and entertaining can all be offered to a high standard, enhanced by the ever-present sights and sounds of the world outside,” HAV said on its website describing the amenity options of the Airlander 10.
The cabin is customizable and can include options such as in-flight WiFi.
Source: BBC
Revolutionizing Remote Transport
Hybrid Airships make it possible to affordably deliver heavy cargo and personnel to remote locations around the world. Burning less than one tenth the fuel of a helicopter per ton, the Hybrid Airship will redefine sustainability for the future.
With unlimited access to isolated locations around the globe, Hybrid Airships safely and sustainably support a wide range of activities in areas with little to no infrastructure. The airship offers the simplicity of a pickup truck by carrying cargo loads and personnel in and out of remote areas daily, not just certain seasons or only after major road, rail or airport infrastructure is developed.
Lockheed Martin has invested more than 20 years to develop the Hybrid Airship’s technology, prove its performance and ensure there are compelling economics for various markets who would benefit from using this platform. More than 10 years ago, the team built and flew the technology demonstrator known as the P-791, which successfully demonstrated all the technologies needed to make this real. Since then, the team has completed all required FAA certification planning steps for a new class of aircraft and they are ready to begin construction of the first commercial model and the completion of the FAA Type certification process.
Hybrid Airship Innovations
SPIDER
SPIDER is a one-of-a-kind robot committed to protecting the cargo-hauling ship of the skies, the Hybrid Airship. For years, teams of five to ten people have used bright lights to search airship envelopes to locate and patch tiny pinholes found during final assembly and major maintenance operations. Now there’s a better way. Recently named as a Popular Science Best of What’s New for 2016, SPIDER is a game changer. Read More.
ACLS
From carrying heavy equipment to isolated regions, to serving as a flying clinic, there is almost no cargo mission the Hybrid Airship can’t perform. What gives this airship its unprecedented access? The air cushion landing system (ACLS). Read More.
Fly-By-Wire & Advanced Propellers
Traditional airships use a cable and pulley system for directional movement. When the Skunk Works® team began developing the Hybrid Airship nearly 20 years ago, they pulled knowledge from our Lockheed Martin fixed-wing brethren to build digital flight controls, or a fly-by-wire system, into the airship’s standard systems. Read More.
HYBRID AIRSHIP: NO ROAD, NO PROBLEM
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