Airships the Future?
This is not a Blimp. It’s a sort of flying Queen Mary 2 that could change the way you think about air travel. It’s the Aeroscraft, and when it’s completed, it will ferry pampered passengers across continents and oceans as they stroll leisurely about the one-acre cabin or relax in their well-appointed staterooms.
Unlike its dirigible ancestors, the Aeroscraft is not lighter than air. Its 14 million cubic feet of helium hoist only two thirds of the craft’s weight. The rigid and surprisingly aerodynamic body—driven by huge rearward propellers—generates enough additional lift to keep the behemoth and its 400-ton payload aloft while cruising. During takeoff and landing, six turbofan jet engines push the ship up or ease its descent.
[Link]
dan said,
February 16, 2006 at 7:15 pm
wooooww… gimme a ride in one of them!
Dane said,
February 16, 2006 at 11:00 pm
holy jesus. look at the size of that thing
Meep said,
February 17, 2006 at 5:48 am
Few questions
1. How fast can it go?
2. What hapens if it crashes ?
3. What will happen to it when we run out of oil?
Dane said,
February 17, 2006 at 11:32 am
A few answers
1. “The craft would have a range of several thousand miles and, with an estimated top speed of 174 mph…”
2. People die
3. “To minimize noise, the aft-mounted propellers will be electric, powered by a renewable source such as hydrogen fuel cells.”
Both quotes were from the link and question 2 was stupid.
abdul said,
March 12, 2006 at 5:31 pm
can airships integrated with helicofters.if yes please send me details.