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Skunk Works' new craft over Plant 42
ALLISON GATLIN ^ | Thursday, February 2, 2006. | ALLISON GATLIN

Posted on 02/02/2006 12:35:43 PM PST by BenLurkin

PALMDALE - A mysterious flying craft seen hovering over Air Force Plant 42 Tuesday morning was the latest creation from Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Co.'s famed Skunk Works on its maiden flight. The blimp-like aircraft, known simply as P791, is a proof-of-principle vehicle to help engineers learn more about technology and aerodynamics for such airships.

"Lockheed Martin is testing a small-scale airship as part of an internal research and development effort," Lockheed spokeswoman Dianne Knippel said.

The large white airship is shaped somewhat differently from a traditional blimp, with twin torpedo-like sections joined in the center and a cockpit beneath. Four airlifters move the vehicle on the ground and in the air.

The company, known for its advanced technology developments conducted in secrecy, is not releasing any additional information about the project at this time.

The airship likely will be seen flying for the next six weeks, generally during the morning hours, Knippel said.

(Excerpt) Read more at avpress.com ...


TOPICS: US: California
KEYWORDS: aerospacevalley; allisongatlin; antelopevalley; skunkworks
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To: BenLurkin

You don't test the real stuff in Palmdale. You test it in remotest Nevada and other dry uninhabited places. I don't know what to make of this article


41 posted on 02/02/2006 4:27:07 PM PST by dennisw ("What one man can do another can do" - The Edge)
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To: Donald Rumsfeld Fan

Area 87


42 posted on 02/02/2006 4:28:14 PM PST by dennisw ("What one man can do another can do" - The Edge)
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To: dennisw
We see quite a surprising variety of aircraft . . . but I know what you mean.

As for what to make of this article the answer is simple. There is evidently nothing secret about Lockheed's blimp (at this stage of development), so there is no reason not to test it around town. I'm looking forward to seeing it.
43 posted on 02/02/2006 4:30:26 PM PST by BenLurkin (O beautiful for patriot dream - that sees beyond the years)
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To: BenLurkin

I'm not sure if someone else has mentioned this on this thread or not but several years ago I read an article about a German company that was exploring new uses for LTA craft. As I remember the idea was to use it for extremely heavy long distance lifting. The plan was to be able to build bridge sections (or other objects) in one area then lift and place the sections where they were needed.


44 posted on 02/02/2006 4:32:17 PM PST by Straight Vermonter (John 6: 31-69)
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To: Straight Vermonter
Yes. I think the company went bust.

I'm not sure why Lockheed is trying it. Maybe they've figured out how to lick some fundamentals problems that would otherwise limit performance.
45 posted on 02/02/2006 4:33:32 PM PST by BenLurkin (O beautiful for patriot dream - that sees beyond the years)
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To: ClearCase_guy
Everyone who reads this thread will be visited by the Men in Black. And killed.

Ahem... we ARE the Men In Black!

You are obviously an interloper and will be dealt with accoringly.

But not killed. Oh no. We have better uses for specimens like you. Overdone Fox TV shows, for example. We'll think of something appropriate and colorful.

46 posted on 02/02/2006 5:05:25 PM PST by Phsstpok (There are lies, damned lies, statistics and presentation graphics, in descending order of truth)
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To: gaijin

Good heavens. Ted Kennedy is drifting over the water.......


47 posted on 02/02/2006 5:12:22 PM PST by festus (The constitution may be flawed but its a whole lot better than what we have now.)
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To: BenLurkin
I see someone is still involved in this.




Lighter-Than-Air >
Heavy Lift Airships & Balloons
ILC has applied its LTA technology to the development and fabrication of heavy lift vehicles. By utilizing the lift generated by a helium filled LTA vehicle, heavy loads can be transported in an economical manner.

Cargo Airships

Airship Envelope Materials Development
Working with CargoLifter personnel on this unique world-class project, ILC designed and tested several prototype materials which prove to be some of the strongest LTA materials ever manufactured.
CL 160 CargoLifter Airship Facts
The CL 160 Airship was designed to transport a payload of 160 tons.

Logging Balloons

In the early 1990's, ILC was involved in the detailed design and manufacture of several logging balloons. These units were utilized in the northwestern U.S. and western Canada to retrieve logs from mountainous areas in which logging roads were unavailable or prohibited for environmental reasons.
  • 15 Ton Lift Capability
  • 620,000 cu. ft. Volume
  • 110 ft. Diameter






Cargo Airship
Cargo Airship

Logging Balloon
Logging Balloon



For more information on Aerostats, Airships, and Blimps, please contact Gil Baird

http://www.ilcdover.com/products/aerospace_defense/heavylift.htm
48 posted on 02/02/2006 5:36:47 PM PST by Straight Vermonter (John 6: 31-69)
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To: BenLurkin

49 posted on 02/02/2006 5:40:53 PM PST by usmcobra (In my world after being arrested Cindy is sent to Iraq to assist with finding the mass graves)
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To: BenLurkin

Mr. Mercat has asked me to post this. He's worried that if he morphs from a lurker to an actual member, the Men in Black will come to the door. So go to the February edition of Pop Sci (the only magazine allowed in our bathroom) and check out the article on the "Flying Luxury Hotel."

Also go to:

http://www.aerosml.com/aeroscraft.asp


50 posted on 02/02/2006 5:53:02 PM PST by Mercat (Who's that knocking at my door?)
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To: gaijin

Is that one of those new infrared computer mouses?


51 posted on 02/02/2006 5:58:59 PM PST by pbear8 (I have to wait until Monday for '24'!!!! =()
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To: Mercat

Tell that gentlman that he is very wise.

I lurked on FR for three, maybe four years -- but became overly addicted to it after finally registering in 2002.


52 posted on 02/02/2006 6:47:13 PM PST by BenLurkin (O beautiful for patriot dream - that sees beyond the years)
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To: GreyFriar
Hmm ... the DARPA contract isn't a lighter-than-air-vehicle. That's probably why the LTA companies were excluded. The most interesting words in the whole article are "electrostatic atmospheric ion propulsion".
53 posted on 02/02/2006 7:52:57 PM PST by zot (GWB -- four more years!)
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To: tet68
Just Damn! You can't even SEE that thing hovering over the hanger!!!

I know. Them Skunk Works engineers are really good!

54 posted on 02/02/2006 8:11:48 PM PST by Donald Rumsfeld Fan ("fake but accurate": NY Times)
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To: r9etb

My vote is on the bunny rabbit.


55 posted on 08/18/2008 11:10:51 AM PDT by BenLurkin
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To: martin_fierro
too funny, some real collectors items now...
56 posted on 12/04/2010 6:23:59 AM PST by Chode (American Hedonist - *DTOM* -ww- NO Pity for the LAZY)
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To: martin_fierro

Its still there... www.lercstore.com

The store is located in the Lockheed Credit Union building on Lockheed Way adjacent to the plant entrance.

They still have great stuff, videos, books, clothing with the LM logo, etc...


57 posted on 12/04/2010 8:30:48 AM PST by aubreys_mom
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To: martin_fierro

Its still there... www.lercstore.com

The store is located in the Lockheed Credit Union building on Lockheed Way adjacent to the plant entrance.

They still have great stuff, videos, books, clothing with the LM logo, etc...


58 posted on 12/04/2010 8:34:26 AM PST by aubreys_mom
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To: martin_fierro
One of the guys that works for me did 10 years at the SW. Says it was the best place he has ever worked - including for me! The can do spirit and the innovation allowed was impressive. Of course it helps when you have basically unlimited budgets. Same guy went on to help build the B-2.
59 posted on 12/04/2010 8:35:28 AM PST by mad_as_he$$ (V for Vendetta.)
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To: BenLurkin

The plug was pulled on the article:

Not Found

The requested URL /n/02/0202_s1.hts was not found on this server.


60 posted on 12/04/2010 8:43:55 AM PST by Rebelbase
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