Not only airplanes are looking to reduce their carbon emissions, but the current environmental situation has also pushed engineers to look for other green alternatives for air-transport. One of these new developments are Hybrid Airships their shape can easily be confused with a Zeppelin (as the Hindenburg).
Hybrid Airships refer to any type of airships that are capable of generating more than 30% of its total lift with aerodynamic forces and the rest, as in any airship, by aerostatic principles, like lighter-than-air (LTA) systems to generate it. Commonly, hydrogen is the gas used for the lighter-than-air systems. In detail, they combine lighter-than-air systems to generate most of their lift, and heavier-than-air systems, such as fixed wings aircraft technologies or rotors, to generate the extra lift and maneuvering. Some of the advantages of this type of airships are heavy-lift capability, controllability, possibility to use the airship’s surface for solar-panels, good lateral stability, burns less fuel compared to a traditional aircraft and others.
Even though no design has gone into production, several prototypes have been built over the years, with companies like Lockheed Martin, Hybrid Air Vehicles, Boeing, Voliris, Aeros Corp, Aero Vehicles and other have invested on the development of this type of technology. Particularly, Hybrid Air Vehicles, with the Airlander 10 airship is ready to enter production in 2025.
The Airlander 10 will be an aircraft that produces 75% less CO2 emissions when compared to traditional aircraft thanks to its hybrid technology, which is the use of a helium airship along with engine propellers. In the future emissions may be reduced 100% by using just electric technologies as part of their propulsion system). The Airlander will be capable of carrying up to 100 passengers, with a 4,000 nautical miles range and the capability of staying in the air for 5 days straight. It is planned to serve short haul routes.
Once it enters service, it would be the largest aircraft in the word and open a new alternative for a greener future. Are you looking forward to seeing this airship in the air?