US defense group, Lockheed Martin, has developed a new 20-tonne-capacity hybrid airship that doesn’t need mooring towers or runways. The aircraft also has the potential to transport heavy cargo over huge distances without ships and ports.
The Lockheed Martin Hybrid (LMH)-1 vehicle, which will be based off of the Skunk Works-developed P-791 prototype that first took to the skies in 2006, is the culmination of more than 20 years of the company’s involvement in the field of hybrid airship technology.
Pictured above is what the LMH-1 could look like as it flies through the sky.
As with any hybrid airship, the LMH-1 is a heavier-than-air vehicle, with 80% of its lift coming from the buoyancy of the helium enclosed within it. The remaining 20% comes from the aerodynamics of the outer shell, and since the hybrid doesn’t requiring mooring masts or tie-down points to secure it to the ground, it uses the Air Cushion Landing System (ACLS) that serves like a hovercraft, enabling the vehicle to maneuver on the ground. It can also provide suction to better secure itself when loading or unloading cargo.
According to the specification released by Lockheed Martin, the LMH-1 has a cruise speed of 60 kt, a range of 1,400 n miles, a payload of up to 21,000 kg-plus in the 3 x 3 x 18 m cargo bay, and the capability to carry 19 passengers.
At the launch event, Lockheed Martin announced its partnering agreement with Hybrid Enterprises of Atlanta, Georgia, for marketing the vehicle. The company also noted that while it’s committed to the vehicle, it will only build a prototype if at least one customer has been signed up. If that happens, the first flight is expected in mid-2016.
Source: telegraph.co.uk
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