Buoyant Aero Unmanned Hybrid Cargo Airship

Design and Structure:

• Type: Hybrid autonomous airship-drone

• Lift Mechanism: Combination of aerostatic and aerodynamic lift

  • Approximately 70% of lift comes from the helium in the gas envelope (aerostatic buoyancy)

  • Remaining 30% of lift generated through tilt-rotor propulsors during takeoff, landing, and hover

  • Aerodynamic lift from the gas envelope replaces dynamic lift during forward flight

• Hull Design: Twin-hull structure for improved stability and control

• Dimensions: Subscale demonstrator 20 ft (6.1 m); full-scale production airship 60 ft (18.3 m)

Performance:

• Payload Capacity: Up to 650 lb (295 kg)

• Range: 250 miles (402 km) on battery electric power (future models with hydrogen fuel cells for longer ranges)

• Speed:

  • Subscale demonstrator: up to 35 mph (56 kph)

  • Full-scale airship: up to 60 mph (96.6 kph)

• Operating Cost: Expected to be half of the operational costs of a Cessna 182 small fixed-wing aircraft

Operational Capabilities:

• Applications: Cargo transport, especially in middle-mile logistics, and advertising campaigns

• Deployment: Designed for logistics in remote and rural areas, including regions like rural Alaska

• Environmental Impact: Zero-emission, eco-friendly operations

• Autonomy: Designed to fly autonomously, with centimeter accuracy GPS for landing in inclement weather

Features:

• Tilt-Rotor Propulsors: Tilt-rotors provide dynamic lift during takeoff, landing, and hover. During forward flight, these are repositioned to provide propulsion.

• Cargo Sling: External sling load system for carrying cargo

• Precision Positioning: Small propellers in the lower tail stabilizers for precise positioning during low-speed flight and hovering

• No Ballast Exchange Needed: The hybrid design eliminates the need to exchange ballast during cargo pickup or delivery

Development and Testing:

• Prototype Testing: In 2021, the company tested a 20 ft (6.1 m) subscale version of the airship, demonstrating successful flight and cargo delivery.

• Production Airship: Expected to carry up to 650 lb (295 kg) of cargo with improved speed and range

• Certifications: Buoyant Aero plans to achieve FAA type certification for airworthiness and operator certifications for the airship operators.

Advantages:

• Higher Payload Capacity: Can carry much larger loads than traditional quadcopters

• Reduced Operating Costs: More cost-effective compared to small aircraft like the Cessna 182

• Safety: Enhanced safety with hybrid design, offering increased stability compared to pure drone solutions

• Simplified Logistics: Ideal for middle-mile logistics, offering simpler operations compared to last-mile drone delivery models