Thu, Jul 10, 2008
Heavy-Lift Blimp Could Haul Cargo To Remote Areas
A Canadian company trying to promote a heavy-lift blimp as an
alternative for shipping large cargo to remote areas of the world
received a major shot in the arm recently.
American planemaker Boeing said this week it has teamed with
Calgary-based SkyHook International to develop a blimp able to
carry a 40 ton load 200 miles without refueling, reports
Reuters.
The Jess Heavy Lifter, or JHL-40, is named after SkyHook
president and CEO Pete Jess, who holds a patent on the combination
airship/helicopter technology. The JHL-40 uses helium for lift, and
four large, movable rotors for maneuvering... a combination that
gives the hybrid airship over twice the lifting power of the Mi-26,
the world's largest helicopter.
"SkyHook secured the patent for this neutrally buoyant aircraft
and approached Boeing with the opportunity to develop and build the
system," said Pat Donnelly, director of Advanced Rotorcraft Systems
for Boeing. "We conducted a feasibility study and decided this
opportunity is a perfect fit for Advanced Systems' technical
capabilities."
Both companies tout the efficiency and environmental
friendliness of such an aircraft, noting blimps capable of hauling
loads normally reserved for large trucks or rail eliminate the need
for roads or rail lines to remote locations, like northern Canada's
oil sands.
"Companies have suggested this new technology will enable them
to modify their current operational strategy and begin working much
sooner on projects that were thought to be 15 to 20 years away,"
Jess said.
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