Aeroscraft

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This article contains information about a scheduled or anticipated future aircraft.
It may contain preliminary or speculative information, and may not reflect the final version of the aircraft.

The Aeroscraft model ML866 is a planned 400-ton hybrid airship, to be built by the Worldwide Aeros Corporation.[1] A scaled-down prototype is planned for 2008, and a full scale passenger craft for 2010.

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[edit] Technical details

The Aeroscraft is 850 feet (260 metres) in length, and has a top speed of 174 miles per hour, faster than conventional airships (top speed around 90 mph) but slower than jet aircraft (500 mph). It has a flight ceiling of 8000 feet.[2]

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,[2] and its canards (forward fins) and empennage (rear fins).[3]

As well as its horizonal propellers, the Aeroscraft has six downward-pointing turbofan jet engines for vertical take-off and landing.[3] The craft also uses Dynamic Buoyancy Management, a novel technology which controls buoyancy by taking in air from the surrounding atmosphere and holding it in pressurised tanks.[3] These systems make the Aeroscraft capable of landing on rough or snowy terrain, or on water.[1]

[edit] Uses

[edit] For people

One of the more interesting uses of an Aeroscraft would be as a luxury private yacht. Many possibilities could be included, for example, large staterooms and dining areas.

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.

[edit] For cargo

Another use of an Aeroscraft could be to transport military vehicles or supplies to difficult terrain. This would take advantage of the large cargo space and the craft’s ability to land on any terrain. The manufacturer also envisions commercial use as a cargo carrier which could deliver a large amount of merchandise from a centralized location.[4]

[edit] References

  1. ^ a b Cruise ship of the sky?. CNET (2006-03-06). Retrieved on 2007-05-14.
  2. ^ a b Bowes, Gemma (2006-03-05). Cruise ship of the skies. The Observer. Retrieved on 2007-05-14.
  3. ^ a b c Grabianowski, Ed. How the Aeroscraft Will Work. How Stuff Works. Retrieved on 2007-05-15.
  4. ^ Tompkins, Joshua. The Flying Luxury Hotel. Popular Science. Accessed on 15-10-2007.

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[edit] See also

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