Looks like Michelle’s rear end.
There you go tons of UFO sightings solved
I remember when a FReeper first reported seeing this aircraft - inflated and on the ground - outside a Lockheed plant, possibly in Palmdale. That was probably ten or twelve years ago.
They might even have posted a picture of it at that time.
If I recall correctly, Lockheed issued a public statement explaining that they were testing a prototype of a new project, and that this project was internally funded.
They should fill it with hydrogen. It’s lighter than helium, and cheaper, too.
Just don’t let them get anywhere near a hurricane.
/johnny
The S.S. Dolly Parton
Add a two tone brown paint job and you’ve got ...
The Oscar Meyer Blimp.
How will she handle in even a moderate storm? The fact that the craft has a section dedicated to weather monitoring and route planning would seem to answer that question. But for many reasons re-development of this technology is long overdue.
Impressive.
They will certainly have a military role.
Neat!
I’d love to see an updated Hindenburg. The original could carry 72 passengers and 61 crew. It was originally designed to use helium. Modern materials for the frame and especially the envelope would save large amounts of weight. Modern engines are lighter and require less fuel. More weight saved. You could probably cut the crew down to 40 individuals and maintain first class service.
A transatlantic flight on the Hindenburg cost the equivalent of $6,800 now. If it can carry 100 passengers, it can gross $680,000 a week.
Imagine your cruise to the Alaskan fjords or the Mediterranean trip circled Rome, Athens, and Cairo.
IMO it would be a very profitable enterprise.
Folks were playing with tri-lobed designs in the 1970s. It didn’t work then, either.
Zeppelin is actually selling some semi-rigids these days. I’d stick with the proven design.
Wonder when they will make it available in Prepar3D V3.0.
ASW platform potential.
"Hello Airplanes? It's Blimps. You won. Totally."