Assessment of Selected Lighter-Than-Air Vehicles for Mission Tasks of the U.S. Coast Guard
Abstract
This study examines the role of lighter-than-air (LTA) vehicles in performing several United States Coast Guard missions including enforcement of laws and treaties, marine environmental protection, and search and rescue. Reconnaissance tasks required for surveillance of the 200-mile coastal economic zones are emphasized. Before assessing how well LTA vehicles performed these missions, basic lighter-than-air craft needed to be designed. The study develops a conceptual design model to estimate the characteristics of a family of modern airships with varing range and speed. All the LTAs considered are semibuoyant hybrids that use aerodynamic lift to increase fuel capacity. The effect of different design features (such as envelope material, engine type, and design altitude) are also investigated. The family of LTAs is compared with existing and proposed Coast Guard vehicles that were previously examined in the CNA study (no. 1061) of hydrofoils for the Fisheries Law Enforcement mission of the U.S. Coast Guard. The comparisons, based on cost and effectiveness in patrol tasks, are made by evaluating miles and square miles on station per dollar. For trail tasks, the measure used to compare vehicles is hours on station per dollar. Some comparison of how efficiently vehicles consumed fuel is also made.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- May 01, 1978
- Accession Number
- ADA058237
Entities
People
- Ralph E. Beatty Jr.
- Richard D. Linnel
Organizations
- Center for Naval Analyses