Maritime Patrol Airship Concept Study
Abstract
Results of a preliminary conceptual parametric design study for a maritime patrol airship to be used by the U.S. Coast Guard or Navy are presented. Eight different Coast Guard mission profiles are considered, and an optimum airship point design is developed for each. The report discusses mission requirements, airship operational requirements, the conceptual design approach, and the parametric design study which uses a computer program to assist in optimizing the critical parameters for each airship mission design. The study includes airship sizes from 220,000 cu ft (18,000 lb vertical takeoff weight) to 3,000,000 cu ft (230,000 lb vertical takeoff weight). Results show the unique features of the Bell unballasted, reversible thrust airship design and the critical need for design optimization, owing to the sensitivity of the airship design parameters. The computer design program shows airship conceptual differences and design trends rather than absolute design configurations, since it uses the preliminary subsystem weight relationships developed for recent airship parametric studies. Although the study design trends should remain valid, additional studies are recommended to establish better subsystem weight estimates and to incorporate life-cycle costing.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Nov 16, 1978
- Accession Number
- ADA070131
Entities
People
- A. D. Topping
- James C. Bell
- James D. Marketos
Organizations
- Bell Aircraft Corporation