Airship hovers to next development stage
04 / 09 / 2015
Aeroscraft, the vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) heavylift cargo airship able to carry 66 tons, is now entering the next stage of development said the company behind the project.
US-based Aeroscraft Corp (Aeros) said that it is currently developing the main component and test articles for the control-of-static-heaviness (COSH) buoyancy management system, as well as structural components for the operational vehicle, Aeroscraft ML866.
Aeros said in a statement: “The advanced aircraft now taking shape is unique in terms of its capability, size, cargo handling and propulsion, featuring infrastructure independence with VTOL capability at maximum payload.”
The COSH system has been successfully demonstrated with ‘Dragon Dream’, the 1:2 scale technology demonstration vehicle.
Aeros is planning to complete the Aeroscraft configuration design freeze by the end of 2015 as part of fleet development efforts now underway.
Igor Pasternak, chief executive of Aeroscraft Corp, said: “We are excited to reveal production is underway on the 555ft long ML866, and committed to achieving FAA operational certification for the first deployable Aeroscraft in approximately five years.”
The rigid structure heavylift Aeroscraft has operational abilities at low speed, in hover, and from unprepared surfaces.
Aeroscraft will feature in the next issue of Freighters World, out soon.
