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Good news, people! The gigantic Aeroscraft—a new type of rigid aircraft that is neither a blimp nor an airplane—is complete. This thing can change the way we understand travelling, as well as military transportation. You can see a video of its first move here.
According to the company, “the final configuration and vehicle systems integration functionality testing has been completed as the Aeroscraft subscale demonstration vehicle reaches the finish line.” The aircraft will enter a flying tests phase over the next 60 days. After they are done with the testing, they will build the full scale version. Yes, this gigantic aircraft is only a small version of what’s coming. Imagine that.
Aeros CEO Igor Pasternak thinks that “this is truly the beginning of a vertical global transportation solution for perhaps the next 100 years.” Indeed, it may become just that. Imagine having the capability of transporting huge amounts of material or people across any distance, without the need of any ground infrastructure.
The civilian versions would be able to offer air cruises at any altitude. Just like a cruise ship but over land. Imagine taking the most awesome trip over a three or four days, watching the incredible scenery while sipping on a cocktail or comfortably having dinner in a restaurant with huge glass windows. Then, at night, you will sleep in your comfortable room. That’s what the full-size Aeroscraft will be able to offer and I will be the first one in line to experience it.
There will also be cargo and military versions too, capable of transporting anything from ISO-standard containers—like any cargo ship—to tanks and hundreds of soldiers.
I can’t wait to see these giants cruising over Earth’s skies. [Aeroscraft]
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Thunderbird 2 is a go.
Damn you!
though I was going to say 5… 4… 3… 2… 1… Thunderbirds are go!
ib thought thunderbird 2 as soon as i seen it as well
Yep, I thunk that too!
Indeed. Best gift anyone ever bought me was a large toy Thunderbird 2, from my mum! Even had a working rear dock where the smaller craft entered and exited. (I think the smaller craft was yellow, but it was years ago and I cannot remember. I do remember the green body and red engine nozzles on the Thunderbird 2 toy though!)
RIP Jerry Anderson, major influence on my imagination as a child.
The Aeroscraft passenger cruise concept is also similar to that huge flying cruise ship in The 5th Element.
Dont even get me started on Thunderbirds! I have such terrible memories everytime I hear about that show;
You see it all stems from that bloody Blue Peter episode where they show us how to make tracy island and thunderbird 2 using big roll, paper mache, paint, glue and a whole heap of other crap they expected a 8yr old kid to have laying around the house – as if the stuff was just laying there in a cupboard or draw somewhere.
By the time they finished – they had this beautiful creation of Tracy Island.
And by the time I had finished it looked like screwed up painted newspaper with bog roll sticking out of it.
I’m clearly over it by now though.
F A B!
Soon to be available at your local gadget store for £19.99.
My first thought was Trimaxion Drone Ship…
See ya later, navigator!
They don’t make films like they used to…
I thought it was a British company, SkyCat or something, who were supposed to become the next big thing in this field? What happened to them?
British prototype: http://news.bbcimg.co.uk/media/images/59297000/jpg/_59297040_59297039.jpg
Looks like they’re testing the midflight recharging option…
For some reason I cant help thinking that designers at Aeros must be feeling insecure with regards to manhood.
#2 was the best one. I still have this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=Sz1nvFEzIyo#t=9s
I did my third year dissertation on this topic, If the readers would like I could write a article to be published on Gizmodo? I can tell you all about the development of Hybrid Air Vehicles in the UK, and whether we will one day see the sky’s littered with these things (evidenced with original research)
Really its up to you guys as to whether it is something you’d like to read about.
Let me know
Personally, I’d love to read about it. I’ve loved the idea of blimps flying across the sky once more since I first heard about them.
Ye sounds great to me! I’ve actually been considering doing my dissertation next year on hybrid air vehicles. I’m not sure in exactly what area yet, but I was thinking of something around the area of testing the feasability/effectiveness of the aerodynamic lift they can provide, and maybe tacking on aerodynamic performance in terms of drag, vulnerability to wind, etc. I was thinking of either testing a model in a wind tunnel (since no data on wind tunnel tests for such shapes (varied I know) are available online, as far as I can find), and most probably some cfd experimentation as well.
I’d love to see what you’ve come up with.
Is it filled with Popcorn?