Aeros showcased
the Aeroscraft at the National Defense Transportation Association, 63rd
Annual Forum and Exposition in Nashville, Tennessee.
September 23, 2009 Los Angeles, California
This year’s NDTA 63rd Annual Forum and Exposition in Nashville,
Tennessee on September 19-23 took place under a new theme: the “Rhythm of
Change”. Indeed the change is needed. With the situation escalating in
Afghanistan there is an urgent need to resupply cargo to US Forces more
rapidly and efficiently.
According to a recent article in the Defense Transportation Journal,
TRANSCOM demanded routes that would allow delivery of cargo from the
continental US (CONUS) or Europe to a final destination in Afghanistan in
30 to 45 days. The need for new supply routes became increasingly clear
last fall. Security along the two existing ground routes from Karachi,
Pakistan, deteriorated as militants attacked convoys, terminals, and
staging areas. Attacks in the Khyber Pass, the conduit for up to 75% of
the non-lethal cargo for US troops, forced closure of the pass on several
occasions.[1]
Due to nonexistent infrastructure in places like Afghanistan,
amongst many others around the world, it is extremely challenging to
answer the new requirement with the current transportation means. New
vision is required to look outside the box and develop a transportation
solution that will alleviate the burdens that the US military is
experiencing today.
Aeros is continuously making a steady progress towards the
completion of the Aeroscraft, a new strategic airlifter; Aeros proudly
presented its development program at the NDTA 63rd Annual Forum and
Exposition. The Aeroscraft is a new type of rigid variable buoyancy air
vehicle that is designed to control lift in all stages of air or ground
operations including the ability to off-load payload without
re-ballasting. The key features of the Aeroscraft include the rigid
structure, vertical takeoff and landing capabilities, and the ability to
operate at low speed, in hover, and from unprepared surfaces.
The Aeroscraft will allow US military to:
Insert materials into critical points that can’t easily be reached
Provide additional deployment lift for current forces
Reduce the number of moves required in the Area of Operations
Move a variety of cargo in new ways (Sea-basing support)
Bypass choke points
Deliver intact capabilities at multiple entry points
Maintain uninterrupted deployment momentum
Move select air cargo forward from last secure area
Minimize surface convoys (avoid IEDs and ambushes)
The Aeroscraft is capable of performing theater lift and supporting
sea-basing and persistence missions to meet a range of multi-Service needs
at a competitive cost. The top level characteristics include the 60 tons
useful payload, 120 knots speed, 3,100 nautical miles range and 12,000 ft
operating altitude.
_______________________________
[1] Defense Transportation Journal, September 2009, page 9
About
the Aeroscraft: The Aeroscraft is a new type of rigid air vehicle – the
variable buoyancy air vehicle designed to control lift in all stages of
air or ground operations including the ability to off-load payload without
re-ballasting. The key features of the Aeroscraft include the rigid
structure, vertical takeoff and landing capabilities, and the ability to
operate at low speed, in hover, and from unprepared surfaces.
About
Aeros: Aeros is the
world's leading lighter-than-air, FAA-certified aircraft manufacturing
company. The company's operations involve the research, development,
production, operation and marketing of a complete family of Aeros-branded
air vehicles used in government and commercial applications. These include
non-rigid FAA Type Certified Aeros 40D Sky Dragon Airships, Advanced
Tethered Aerostatic Systems and New Type Rigid Air Vehicle - Aeroscraft.
For more information please visit
www.aerosml.com
Aeroscraft and Aeros are registered trademarks.
Contact: Edward
Pevzner
Tel.
323.201.8306 Edward.Pevzner@AerosML.com
