VTOL Hybrid Airship Review

VTOL Hybrid Airships are combinations of Lighter-Than-Air (LTA) and Heavier-Than-Air (HTA) subsystems intended to achieve results which neither LTA or HTA systems could attain alone. The most common goal sought is an increase in vertical lift payloads to values beyond helicopter capability while retaining the precision pick up and delivery capabilities of the helicopter. Another goal is to reduce unit payload costs to values below helicopter experience. This paper reviews the histories of past VTOL Hybrid Airship developments, most of which took place in the 1970’s and 1980’s. The characteristics and claimed performance figures are given. The technical problems of the various concepts are reviewed. The potential of technology to overcome these problems and to improve the capabilities of the concepts is evaluated. Past studies of the applications, productivity and economics of the concepts are discussed. The growth potential of the various concepts are explored and evaluated using forecasts of developments in technologies relevant to VTOL Hybrid Airships.