David and the Inflatable Goliath

[emad]

Remember the Walrus? That's the Darpa project to build a humongous blimp that can haul 500-1000 tons' worth of soldiers and gear halfway across the world in less than a week.

The L.A. Times today profiles Worldwide Aeros, the small firm run by ex-Soviet engineers, which is going toe-to-toe with Lockheed Martin for the $100-million contract to build a Walrus prototype. "The winner then has a chance to bid on a blimp production contract potentially worth $11 billion over 30 years."

Lockheed farmed out the blimp job to its Skunkworks unit, the legendary aircraft design house in Palmdale that has developed many of the nation's most advanced aircraft, including the SR-71 and U-2 spy planes.

By contrast, Worldwide Aeros, with 40 employees, expects $10 million in revenue this year from selling blimps for advertising, including promoting MasterCard and Spalding sporting goods...
http://www.defensetech.org/archives/002088.html

[On the Road]

1. I Hope They Start Making them for Commercial Use

No more hamster class on vacation flights. They use less fuel. And with the enormous carrying capacity, you'd probably be able to take your car to Europe.

[Ready4Change]

2. They have potential.

When the 747's were new everyone said "Yeah! More room in coach class!" But very quickly bean counters realized that they could make even more money by packing in more people. I suspect the same will happen with lighter than air transports. But, as the trips will take more time, they'll have to provide SOME extra room.

I suspect they'll slot inbetween airliner transports (fast, but cramped) and sea-going cruises. (Slower, but able to carry heavier entertainments, like swimming pools.) I suspect they'd be less comfortable than the sea-going ships, but would be able to provide views of landlocked wonders like the Pyramids and the Grand Canyon.

What you say about taking your car along is true. However, that will cost a lot, which you'll need to weigh against the cost of just renting a car at your destination. Cost-wise, renting for your 1-2 week trip is likely to be far cheaper.

[benburch]

3. Much as I love airships. and I sincerely do...

I simply cannot imagine an airship that would not be at the mercy of the elements in a sudden squall. Unless you believe that prediction of weather is so good now that you can always navigate around any trouble spots, then it doesn't sound like all that good an idea.

And forget about taking it anywhere you do not have full air superiority.

[jody]

4. A concept White Paper 30 years ago concluded blimps would become

economically feasible when oil prices reached their current levels. Looks like the author was right.

[Odin2005]

5. SUPER-BLIMP!

Cool. B-)