Wednesday, 5 January 2011

Hybrid Airship

This is a video of a hybrid air vehicle. Hybrid Airship is a combines the characteristics of many technologies such as Heavier than air, fixed wing aircraft and lighter than air technology. In the history, many prototypes have been built but no production vehicle has been built since then. It is good for long time cruising. The idea behind the hybrid airship is to combine lift from a lighter-than-air gas such as helium with lift from aerodynamic forces. Such a craft is still heavier than air, which makes it similar in some ways to a regular aircraft. The rest of the lift is comes from vertical thrusters such as helicopter-like rotors, or a lift-producing shape (like a wing) combined with horizontal thrust, or a combination of the two. The aerodynamic approach is very similar to that of a conventional lifting body aircraft. The hybrid aircraft technology has a wide range of flight performance behaviours ranging from heavier than air to near buoyant characterisations. This uncommon dynamic flight range when coupled with an air cushion landing system has reinvigorated the LTA (lighter-than-air) community and those seeking ultra heavy and affordable airlift transportation options.
Have a look at the video:

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