Thursday, August 18 UK successfully tested the world’s largest airship – Airlander 10. The test flight was conducted at the aerodrome Cardington, 73 kilometers north of London <. / p>
The creators of the air giant, representatives of hybrid air Vehicles of the company, explained that 10 Airlander relates to hybrid courts: it combines the features of the airship, airplane and helicopter. The main lift 92-meter giant provides a balloon filled with helium. At the same time he has fixed wings and swiveling engines with propellers. By combining these elements Airlander 10 is a well-managed and cost-effective ship. It can be raised by nearly 5 km altitude, speed accelerate to 148 km / h and the maximum residence time in the air is 19 days. This airship is suitable for the transportation of goods over long distances with minimal fuel consumption
-. The era of airships is back! – Says CEO of Hybrid Air Vehicles Stephen MakGlenan. – Although it is not quite the airship, and helicopter hybrid, aircraft and balloon. We collected it the best qualities of all three vehicles.
it seems that the airships were done back in the 30s . The final point in the history of the air giants put disaster zeppelin “Hindenburg”, when in 1937, caught fire when landing large object, and of the 97 people on board were killed 35. Even in those days it was not the biggest aviation disaster. But airships decided to write off the scrap.
The creators of the new machines argue that the repetition of history “Hindenburg” is impossible today. Because instead of fire hazardous hydrogen airships are filled with non-flammable helium shell. Second chance in the history of airships received thanks largely to the era of high oil prices. According to specialists, airships consume 60 percent less fuel than planes. Airlander 10 is equipped with four diesel engines of 330 horsepower, they are able to accelerate sluggish at first glance, a colossus of up to 160 kilometers per hour. Another drawback Zeppelin was considered a bad handling and dependency on the vagaries of weather. But thanks to modern know-how, the airship can fly even in poor weather conditions.
In the end, it turned out that these devices today have a number of competitive advantages in the market of vehicles. So the average speed of the load in normal mixed delivery, when the container is driven cargo ship, a train and a heavy-duty trucks, is 8-10 kilometers per hour. And when using the airship average speed is 100 km / h, because this is the only mode of transport that can carry container from the “door to door”. Of particular interest are the flying giants when it comes to the delivery of goods in remote areas. For example, in Siberia and the Far North. Here, Zeppelin cargo delivery cost would be 3-4 times cheaper than the use of air transport. It is no accident the US company Lockheed Martin in 2012 signed a contract with the British transport firm Straightline Aviation for the construction of 12 airships $ 500 million. They need the oil companies, which are prey oil to bear the corners around the world.
First Airlander designed as a reconnaissance aircraft for the US administration, but due to the reduction in defense project spending is frozen and resumed already private English company Hybrid Air Vehicles.
it should be noted that the era of huge airships actually ended in 1937 after the crash of the German “Hindenburg” in New Jersey. The Company believes that it has the potential in the commercial sector
«It is a great British innovation»
In Russia build airships on an industrial scale are capable of only two companies:.. FSUE “Dolgoprudny Design Bureau of Automatics “(DKBA), which is considered the successor of the Soviet specialized plant” Dirizhablestroy “, and NGO” RosAeroSystems’ parent company is – “Aeronautic center” Augur “- control 95% of the Russian airship market
However, the production of aircraft. lighter than air in Russia is carried out not in series, as single specimens. As a rule, they bought large companies for their specific tasks. For example, in 2011, “Rosatom” paid for design and construction of the disc blimp “Annie”, designed for aerial photography. For these purposes the company “Aeroscan” paid for the construction of two large Au-30 airship. Some phones have bought the Moscow government and private companies working in the field of entertainment. There were orders from China, Thailand and France. However, until it is all – exclusive, and therefore quite expensive projects
However, the potential at the airship in Russia has a promising niche: they are regularly interested in the governors, especially remote areas with poor transport infrastructure.. “It is clear that the main demand for airships in the regions, – noted Commercial Director of” Augur “Mikhail Talesnikov. – There are no roads, and, most likely, will not. A blimp can carry ten tons of cargo, sit on swamp water on thin ice. It can be used for aerial photography, geological exploration for, for tourism. Not to mention the fact that the cost of fuel is several times lower than other modes of transport. »
So far, to establish mass production of aircraft of this type was not possible, however, the situation may change in the coming years. August 11 became known that members of the Russian Security Council, together with Academician Alexander Nekipelov made on government draft “United Eurasia”. One of the points of the program dedicated to the development of the regions of Siberia and the Far East, offering to invest heavily in the production of transport airships “Atlant”, developed by the Centre “Augur».
This year, for the implementation of this part of the program is proposed to allocate 800 million rubles. The total cost of the development and construction of “Atlantis” is estimated at 3.2 billion rubles; construction of the plant will require another 8-10 billion and will take 2 to 2.5 years. After commissioning of the company will be able to produce from two to ten airships year. With their help, the drafters of the program plan to provide transport of goods between the Northern Sea Route and the Trans-Siberian Railway.
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