Quietly planning the return of the blimp

There are few technologies that have been the subject of more prophesied resurgences than the airship.

Indeed, it seems that barely a year goes by without someone heralding the rebirth of this most compelling form of transport. And yet, for many, the fiery demise of the Hindenburg in 1937 continues to cast a shadow over the technology’s credibility.

The engineers we speak to in our current Big Story sketch out a bold plan that they believe could finally unlock the potential of the blimp and bring to life the long-held dream of a worldwide network of civilian airships.

The concept behind the Multibody Advanced Airship for Transport (MAAT) project is hugely ambitious. The team, which includes a number of UK engineers, envisages the development of giant motherships permanently cruising at altitude and picking up cargo from smaller airships that will rise up to meet it from the city or town below.

It’s pretty mind-boggling stuff, although some might say no more far fetched than two other prominent transport schemes that have been in the news in recent weeks: ’Boris Island’ and HS2.

Whether or not MAAT and the prospect of giant discs hovering above the world’s cities is a step too far into the realms of science fiction, airship technology is, without doubt, of increasing interest to the defence sector.

The ability of airships to stay aloft for days or even weeks without using much energy makes them an extremely attractive option for surveillance operations and a number of major defence firms are now seriously examining their potential.

“Whether or not they are science fiction, airships are, without doubt, of increasing interest to the defence sector”

One of the most promising of these projects is Northrop Grumman’s LEMV (Long Endurance Multi-intelligence Vehicle), a giant hybrid airship, bristling with reconnaissance equipment that could stay aloft for months. LEMV is being developed for Northrop by UK firm Hybrid Air Vehicles, which is based at Cardington, former base of the Royal Airship Company and birthplace of the UK’s aborted civil airship programme. It’s both intriguing and reassuring that, more than 80 years after the demise of the UK’s official airship programme, engineers at the spiritual home of the UK airship are still quietly planning the return of the blimp.

Meanwhile, our special report looking at the challenge of aerial refuelling for UAVs is a useful reminder of why airships are so attractive for military applications. Currently the staple vehicle for reconnaissance and surveillance, UAVs are heavily restricted by the amount of fuel they can carry and solving this challenge is, as we report, incredibly tough.