To protect the planet, maybe we will return to using a balloon

Will the hybrid air balloons be successful and bring hope to the abandoned air cargo industry for decades?

The future can sometimes disappoint you, but the future air balloons will definitely satisfy your expectations. And above all, they were present right now.

At the end of March, British-based international airline company Straightline Aviation signed a contract to buy 12 Hybrid air balloons. They were designed by Skunk Works by Lockheed Martin. With a value of approximately US $ 480 million, this contract marks a landmark moment in the air balloon industry after nearly a century of neglect.

These modern balloons are far different from the old Zeppelins hot air balloons when old air balloons depend on hydrogen to help them float in the air. The use of helium gas instead of hydrogen gas helps to reduce the risk of fire on the balloon. Surely the world still has not forgotten the Hindenburg disaster in New Jersey in 1937 has claimed the lives of 36 people and ended the era of air ballooning.

New model balloon of Lockheed Martin.

Rob Binns, director of Hybrid Enterprises, the newly established sales and marketing division of Lockheed Martin shared that these first airship models can lift 23 tons of cargo and transport them to areas with poor road systems. In the future, vehicles with the length of such a football field can be used for a variety of purposes, from humanitarian and tourism relief to mobile hospitals. With enough space for 19 people, Lockheed Martin's Hybrid air balloons can move at speeds of over 100km / h.

Binns also said that the balloon will significantly reduce the impact on the environment in remote areas, where transport infrastructure is still underdeveloped.

"Using Hybrid air balloons is an energy-saving and environmentally friendly way to move to remote areas. They consume energy and exhaust CO2 by only one third compared to conventional aircraft. " he shared. "Moreover, they don't pollute sound."

Like many modern models, Lockheed Martin's balloons are heavier than air and do not need anchorage like planes lighter than traditional air, just like the blimp airship. The exact definition of a hybrid balloon is a balloon that uses both air lighter technology (LTA) and heavier air (HTA) technology , as if the wing parts are fixed and rotating.

The engine placed in a strategic position on the Hybrid balloons makes them active. In addition, structures that hold round cylinders on either side of the balloon allow them to remain suspended on the surface, including on the water and the ability to land without runways. According to CNBC, this is the first time Skunk Works makes products for commercial purposes. Earlier, the group mainly built fighter jets for military purposes.

Other large air balloon companies, such as the Worldwide Aeros Corp in California - the Aeroscraft balloon manufacturer, reacted positively to the large contract that Lockheed Martin achieved.

"Although this trade deal is of great value between Lockheed Martin and Straightline Aviation, this is a welcome step in the airline and global shipping industry , " said Igor Pasternak, CEO of Worldwide Aeros Corp. .

Hybrid airships can operate in remote areas because they do not need grounding and anchoring.

Pasternak said that while Martin's Hybrid airships had to rely on aerodynamic thrust and lift, his company's Aeroscraft balloon used a more rugged design called "Aerostructure". Both airships use helium gas to lift. While Hybrid airships can lift about 23 tons, MT866 Aeroscraft can withstand a payload of 66 tons. The company is also designing airships that can lift 250 and 500 tons. If successful, this will be a great competitive advantage of the company compared to other firms.

Considering the environmental aspect, not only is the low carbon amount released, the balloon also has the ability to transport materials to build transport infrastructure systems, including roads, railways, ports and even aircraft.

When it comes to the use of energy with access to remote areas, airships will be used to increase the chances of discovering new oil and gas fields. However, it may indirectly harm the environment when new oil pipelines, platforms and many other devices for the fossil energy industry are put into installation. In addition, greenhouse gas emissions are also of concern.

On the positive side, airships can be used to benefit the clean energy industry. Specifically, the construction of wind turbines faces many difficulties when moving propellers longer than 60m to remote areas. With the help of the balloon, that job will become simpler.

However, Clive Iring - an aviation writer, notes that even with the most advanced airships, there will still be obstacles such as moving in bad weather. Large sizes and slow speeds make the airship vulnerable to wind and other unpredictable weather conditions.

Chris Daniels is the head of communications and collaboration for Hybrid Air Vehicles, a British company that specializes in developing technology lighter than air with the company's pioneering hot air balloon called Airlander. Hybrid Air Vehicles recently launched a fundraising campaign to mobilize about $ 175,000. They achieved that goal in just 10 hours.

Hybrid Air Vechiles has just received an award of 3 million USD from the European research and innovation program, Horizon 2020.

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Daniel shared that the aviation industry could become a $ 50 billion market within the next 20 years. There will be plenty of opportunities for firms to compete when the industry is developing in the same way that helicopters developed after World War II.

"Perhaps only a few years later, these balloons will be considered normal, although the number of hybrid air balloons at the next five years will be similar to today's blimp," he said. share. "But then, we think the balloon industry will grow fast. We are the market leader and will continue to consolidate this position."

Daniel said that the contract between Lockheed Martin and Straightline Aviation was at an agreement, not legally binding. Certainly, Lockheed Martin cannot deliver products before 2018.

In addition to using travel services, high-class travel, search and relief activities or monitoring activities, these balloons can be used in long-term research activities. about climate change.