Feasibility Study of a Hybrid Airship Operating in Ground Effect

Abstract

A hybrid airship is developed in the context of an all-cargo aircraft operating in ground effect for increased performance. The concept is proposed for the transportation of containerized freight on the transatlantic route from New York to London. A performance and economic algorithm has been developed to compare the hybrid and conventional airship designs. A parametric study has been performed that covered vehicle gross weights from 250 to 4000 tons. The metric used for comparing the two designs was the potential profit for a year's operation. Results of the study show that the hybrid has a higher annual profit up to a gross weight of about 1500 tons. A 1000-ton hybrid, offering a 43% higher annual profit over the conventional airship, is selected as a feasible design point for future development.