Airships have multirole future
Airship producer Aeroscraft says lighter-than-air (LTA) aircraft have an advantage over other ISR platforms, particularly in roles such as coastal patrol and port security, as FAA certification process continues for the company's 40E Sky Dragon.
On 22 December the firm announced that following the completion of airship ballonet and control surface fabrication, work will now begin on assembling its envelope and gondola, which is expected to continue in 2016.
The 40E Sky Dragon is planned to have a vectored thrust capability with the propulsion design permitting for heavier take-off loads. The airship will be capable of speed up to 100kts
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