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Subject: Transport Blimps
[email protected]    2/11/2002 11:49:26 PM
Does anyone know about the intriguing project to develop a transport blimp to carry an M-1 tank? May be the solution to the LAV/Abrams dilemma
 
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macawman    RE:Transport Blimps   8/27/2002 11:12:45 PM
You may be refering to the Cyclo-Crane aerolift project sponsored by DARPA and the Forest Service in the mid 80s. AeroLift (Tillamonk, Or.) claimed the concept was good for sling loads of 100 tons. The Army was interested. See Jane's Aviation, Lighter than Air section. Another interesting heavy lift monster is the Russian ekranoplan project based on the WIG effect. See aquaglide.ru/ Also try google.com
 
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MikeKO    RE:Transport Blimps   3/5/2003 8:44:14 PM
Lockheed skunkworks has a designed and built (its flying) a hybrid plane/blimp. It will carry 1,000,000 pounds @ 150 mph. It is huge, and uses helium to offset the cargo weight. Thus it can land on very primitive runways. If equipped with electric engines and solar panels on the available surfaces, its range is essentially infinite. Its size is such that it can carry M1 MBTs with no problem. After one brief mention in AVST, all mention of it disappeared. Given the size of the black budget, I would guess (really hope) that we have a small fleet at this point. Mike
 
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displacedjim    RE:Transport Blimps   3/6/2003 7:50:20 AM
Mike, I wouldn't count on it. If it's just a huge trash-hauler, I sure can't think of a reason it would be a classified program, can you? I think we'd all know about it if it was actually a DoD acquisition program. Jim Habermehl
 
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fred79    RE:Transport Blimps   3/28/2003 1:29:57 PM
accept that the ability to haul f abrams and crew per plane would lead to special weapons just to take it out and since it only travel at 150 mph its easy to hit comparitavly. oh but it will never be a airforce plane any how it only goes 150 mph and is not real fancy and probably not cost 100 billion to build either.
 
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bombard    RE:Transport Blimps   12/29/2003 10:38:33 AM
Mind you, heliuum is cheaper that AV gas, and range is longer. (actually, having a unit of heavy tanks floating around the sky just tickles my fancy)
 
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TiberiusVM    RE:Transport Blimps   9/12/2004 7:55:27 PM
 
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