Accession Number:
AD0680829
Title:
INVESTIGATION OF POWERED LIGHTER-THAN-AIR-VEHICLES.
Descriptive Note:
Final rept. 14 Nov 66-27 Nov 68,
Corporate Author:
GOODYEAR AEROSPACE CORP AKRON OHIO
Personal Author(s):
Report Date:
1968-11-27
Pagination or Media Count:
110.0
Abstract:
A study of previously built LTA aircraft led to a comparison study of two concepts for a high-altitude mission, both powered with air-breathing engines the first an aerodynamically shaped airship flown to and from the 70,000 foot design altitude the second a naturally shaped balloon, free-ballooning to altitude, powered for 24 hours against 10 knot winds, and payload and powerplant parachuted to earth after the flight. The air-breathing engines appeared marginal on normal fuels, but the advantages of smaller total volume and lower constructional cost clearly favored the naturally shaped balloon for this 10-knot wind requirement. A parametric study of this naturally shaped balloon, electrically-powered, was undertaken. Boundaries were 60,000 to 100,000 feet altitude, airspeeds 0 to 45 knots, and flight durations 12 to 96 hours. The altitude and time limits can be achieved at an airspeed of 15 knots. For this shaped balloon, 45-knot speeds are not practical. It is recommended that the naturally shaped balloon with electric propulsion system be built and flown to demonstrate the concept. Author
Descriptors:
Subject Categories:
- Lighter-than-air Aircraft