The Airship Concept Returns with 21st Century Design
A new design for airships promises heavy lift of cargo into remote, inaccessible places.
The Aeroscraft proof-of-design prototype is a rigid variable buoyancy air vehicle, according to Aeros, the company that makes it. It was developed for oversized and heavy cargo transport from point of origin to point of need. The design means it offloads payload without re-ballasting or ground infrastructure, a major hindrance in past airship operations.
This air vehicle, according to the company, is capable of controlling lift in each stage of flight, from take-off to landing. It does not need airports or ground equipment for loading and unloading freight. According to Aeros, conventional airship and hybrid airship designs are unable to control static lift and require ballast to stay anchored after cargo has been off-loaded.The Aeroscraft has its own Internal Ballast Control. As cargo is off-loaded, this control keeps the craft grounded until ready to fly off. The rigid structure aids in carrying heavy cargo loads. The company also noted that the rigid structure helps the design control lift at all stages, even with its vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) capabilities. It also is able to carry maximum payload while hovering.
An article in The National (Black) describes how this new airships works: “… the Aeroscraftuses large bags, or bladders, inside a rigid structure. When the pilot wants to descend, the vehicle needs to be heavier, so the helium in the craft is compressed into storage tanks. … The vacuum created inside the body draws air from the outside. As air is heavier than helium, the vehicle sinks. To rise again, the helium is released, pushing the air out of the bags and giving lift.” The article also notes that the supply of helium is a key constraint, though large reserves are available “… in the United States, Poland, Russia and Canada, and a huge reserve of helium was discovered in Qatar.”
The company also produces conventional airships in the form of its Aeros 40D Sky Dragon, as well as Aerostats (think World War II barrage balloons.)
To learn more, visit http://www.aeroscraft.com/