Aeroscraft
Encyclopedia
The Aeroscraft model ML866 is a planned 60-ton hybrid airship
, to be built by the Worldwide Aeros Corp
oration.
A scaled-down prototype was made in 2008. A 2006 article in POPSCI reported Worldwide Aeros Corporation was developing a prototype to be completed by 2010. It uses technology from the cancelled DARPA WALRUS HULA
airship. http://www.janes.com/articles/Janes-All-the-Worlds-Aircraft/Aeros-Aeroscraft-ML866-United-States.html
and aerostat
ic 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, and its canard
s (forward fins) and empennage
(rear fins).
As well as its horizonal propellers, the Aeroscraft has six downward-pointing turbofan
jet engines for vertical take-off and landing. 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. These systems make the Aeroscraft capable of landing on rough or snow
y terrain, or on water.
. Many facilities could potentially be included onboard, for example, large staterooms, dining areas, theaters, and casinos.
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.
The Aeroscraft would also be able to reach isolated communities, such as remote islands in the Atlantic and Pacific oceans, which at present have no air links, often because the islands do not have large enough flat areas to allow for construction of runways.
Hybrid airship
"A hybrid airship is an aircraft that combines characteristics of heavier-than-air technology, fixed-wing aircraft or helicopter, and lighter-than-air , aerostat technology."[1]Examples include helicopter/airship hybrids intended for heavy lift applications and dynamic lift airships intended for...
, to be built by the Worldwide Aeros Corp
Worldwide Aeros Corp
Worldwide Aeros Corp is an aircraft manufacturing company, specialised in the manufacturing of Hybrid airships. It is based in Montebello, California....
oration.
A scaled-down prototype was made in 2008. A 2006 article in POPSCI reported Worldwide Aeros Corporation was developing a prototype to be completed by 2010. It uses technology from the cancelled DARPA WALRUS HULA
Walrus HULA
The Walrus HULA was a proposed Hybrid Ultra Large Aircraft. The goal was to create an airship capable of traveling up to 12,000 nautical miles in range, while carrying 500-1000 tons of cargo...
airship. http://www.janes.com/articles/Janes-All-the-Worlds-Aircraft/Aeros-Aeroscraft-ML866-United-States.html
Technical details
In 2009 the developers Aeros claimed the Aeroscraft will be 210 feet (64 m) in length, have a top speed of 120 knots (222 km/h), and a flight ceiling of 12000 feet (3,657.6 m). News media claimed it could be modified to carry up to 180 passengers.Technology
The Aeroscraft uses a combination of aerodynamicAerodynamics
Aerodynamics is a branch of dynamics concerned with studying the motion of air, particularly when it interacts with a moving object. Aerodynamics is a subfield of fluid dynamics and gas dynamics, with much theory shared between them. Aerodynamics is often used synonymously with gas dynamics, with...
and aerostat
Aerostat
An aerostat is a craft that remains aloft primarily through the use of buoyant lighter than air gases, which impart lift to a vehicle with nearly the same overall density as air. Aerostats include free balloons, airships, and moored balloons...
ic principles to remain airborne. Approximately two-thirds of the craft's lift
Lift (force)
A fluid flowing past the surface of a body exerts a surface force on it. Lift is the component of this force that is perpendicular to the oncoming flow direction. It contrasts with the drag force, which is the component of the surface force parallel to the flow direction...
is provided by helium
Helium
Helium is the chemical element with atomic number 2 and an atomic weight of 4.002602, which is represented by the symbol He. It is a colorless, odorless, tasteless, non-toxic, inert, monatomic gas that heads the noble gas group in the periodic table...
gas. The remaining lift is provided by the forward thrust
Thrust
Thrust is a reaction force described quantitatively by Newton's second and third laws. When a system expels or accelerates mass in one direction the accelerated mass will cause a force of equal magnitude but opposite direction on that system....
of the craft's propellers, in combination with its aerodynamic shape, and its canard
Canard (aeronautics)
In aeronautics, canard is an airframe configuration of fixed-wing aircraft in which the forward surface is smaller than the rearward, the former being known as the "canard", while the latter is the main wing...
s (forward fins) and empennage
Empennage
The empennage , also known as the tail or tail assembly, of most aircraft gives stability to the aircraft, in a similar way to the feathers on an arrow...
(rear fins).
As well as its horizonal propellers, the Aeroscraft has six downward-pointing turbofan
Turbofan
The turbofan is a type of airbreathing jet engine that is widely used for aircraft propulsion. A turbofan combines two types of engines, the turbo portion which is a conventional gas turbine engine, and the fan, a propeller-like ducted fan...
jet engines for vertical take-off and landing. The craft also uses Dynamic Buoyancy Management, a novel technology which controls buoyancy
Buoyancy
In physics, buoyancy is a force exerted by a fluid that opposes an object's weight. In a column of fluid, pressure increases with depth as a result of the weight of the overlying fluid. Thus a column of fluid, or an object submerged in the fluid, experiences greater pressure at the bottom of the...
by taking in air from the surrounding atmosphere and holding it in pressurised tanks. These systems make the Aeroscraft capable of landing on rough or snow
Snow
Snow is a form of precipitation within the Earth's atmosphere in the form of crystalline water ice, consisting of a multitude of snowflakes that fall from clouds. Since snow is composed of small ice particles, it is a granular material. It has an open and therefore soft structure, unless packed by...
y terrain, or on water.
For regular commercial cargo and the military
The Aeroscraft could be used to transport military vehicles or supplies to difficult terrain. Likewise, it could be used to transport civilian cargo to remote locations or locations with difficult terrain. This would take advantage of the large cargo space and the craft’s ability to land on any terrain. The manufacturer envisions commercial use as a cargo carrier which could deliver a large amount of merchandise from a centralized location.For passengers and tourists
One of the uses of an Aeroscraft would be as a luxury private yachtYacht
A yacht is a recreational boat or ship. The term originated from the Dutch Jacht meaning "hunt". It was originally defined as a light fast sailing vessel used by the Dutch navy to pursue pirates and other transgressors around and into the shallow waters of the Low Countries...
. Many facilities could potentially be included onboard, for example, large staterooms, dining areas, theaters, and casinos.
Another use of an Aeroscraft could be for sightseeing and long-distance cruises—much like a cruise on a luxury ocean liner
Ocean liner
An ocean liner is a ship designed to transport people from one seaport to another along regular long-distance maritime routes according to a schedule. Liners may also carry cargo or mail, and may sometimes be used for other purposes .Cargo vessels running to a schedule are sometimes referred to as...
or cruise ship
Cruise ship
A cruise ship or cruise liner is a passenger ship used for pleasure voyages, where the voyage itself and the ship's amenities are part of the experience, as well as the different destinations along the way...
. This is made possible by the fact that Aeroscraft can land on any terrain (see above) and fly at low and comfortable altitudes.
The Aeroscraft would also be able to reach isolated communities, such as remote islands in the Atlantic and Pacific oceans, which at present have no air links, often because the islands do not have large enough flat areas to allow for construction of runways.