Airlander

[A380]

They need them for the panopticon. Tethered aerial surveillance stations. Drone batteries only last for so long.

Aerostats.

 

[NoXion]

Couldn't some kind of airship play a freight transport role in a post-fossil fuel world? Sure, they wouldn't be the fastest way of moving stuff, but they can fly over land and water, don't need roads or rails and can stay in the air while using little energy. That's got to be good for something.

 

[DownwardDog]

Couldn't some kind of airship play a freight transport role in a post-fossil fuel world? Sure, they wouldn't be the fastest way of moving stuff, but they can fly over land and water, don't need roads or rails and can stay in the air while using little energy. That's got to be good for something.

Compared to a conventional freighter (say 747-400F) it uses 20% of the fuel to carry 10% of the cargo at 10% of the speed.

 

[DotCommunist]

giant solar sails or else its not my steampunk post eco-crash future

 

[NoXion]

Compared to a conventional freighter (say 747-400F) it uses 20% of the fuel to carry 10% of the cargo at 10% of the speed.

Considering the amount of damage done to the atmosphere by conventional air freight, it's the kind of option that should be given some thought, even if it involves compromises. Business as usual is seriously fucking things up.

 

[Crispy]

Considering the amount of damage done to the atmosphere by conventional air freight, it's the kind of option that should be given some thought, even if it involves compromises. Business as usual is seriously fucking things up.

Read that again - it's twice the fuel/kg compared to a 747.

 

[Bahnhof Strasse]

What if you filled the bubble on a 747 with helium?

 

[NoXion]

Read that again - it's twice the fuel/kg compared to a 747.

How the fuck does that happen? Air resistance?

In any case, fossil fuel powered aircraft should be replaced. But with what?

 

[A380]

What if you filled the bubble on a 747 with helium?

Any savings in fuel would be negated by the delays on approach caused as air traffic control pissed themselves at the pilots’ squeaky voices.

 

[MikeMcc]

Compared to a conventional freighter (say 747-400F) it uses 20% of the fuel to carry 10% of the cargo at 10% of the speed.

But it can do so in much less space... if it doesn't crash first!

Though I would love to see a 747 that remain airborne for days at a time!

 

[2hats]

Though I would love to see a 747 that remain airborne for days at a time!

You have...

Up to 3 days, supposedly.

 

[DownwardDog]

The E-4B 'Nightwatch" is supposed to able to do 150+ hours with tanker support courtesy of an uprated lubrication system for the CF-6s.

 

[salem]

Some pics here of it configured as a luxury expedition vehicle. It does look pretty cool!

 

[yield]

bump

This European airline just ordered a fleet of airships
16th June 2022

(CNN) — As the quest for less environmentally damaging aviation continues, one Spanish airline has thrown its hat into the ring by ordering new hybrid airships -- which pack as much of a punch visually as they are said to do environmentally.
Air Nostrum, which operates flights under the Iberia Regional umbrella from its Valencia base, has ordered 10 Airlander 10 aircraft, with delivery scheduled for 2026.
Previously, its manufacturers had predicted the aircraft -- which was unveiled in 2016 -- would be in service by 2025.
Made by UK-based Hybrid Air Vehicles (HAV), the hybrid airships could cut emissions by 90%, according to the company.