Yao says that Aeroscraft overcomes failings of past airships because it has an internal ballast control system, which allows it to offload cargo without using ballast. Built with a rigid structure, the Aeroscraft can control lift at all stages with its Vertical Takeoff and Landing (VTOL) capabilities and carry maximum payload while in hover.
Additionally, Yao notes, the Aeroscraft needs no hangar facility or airport, nor any excessive maintenance - making it uniquely attractive for a range of transport services. "Imagine an aircraft that can take off and land anywhere it wants, go 3,000 miles with a full payload and deliver anywhere it wants," she says. "It could bypass all the choke points and even pick up cargo from offshore."
Yao says the air ship also will be able to simplify some really tough logistics challenges, such as those faced by oil and gas companies drilling in Northern Alaska. "Because of limited winter road access and problems transporting equipment, they typically can drill only one well per year," she says. "With our technology, we bypass all the icy roads and transport directly to the sites, 365 days a year."
Yao says the Aeroscraft also is environmentally friendly since it uses little fuel and is very quiet. "We see this as a new solution with many different applications in the logistics industry."
There also are many defense applications and the Department of Defense has largely funded development of the technology and construction of a prototype, now under way. Worldwide Aeros hopes to get additional support from companies that see the potential for commercial applications. "Our plan is to have five FAA-approved aircraft operating commercially within the next few years," she says.
