Sustainable airships that make surveillance calm and clean

Airships powered by alternative fuel sources are the future of sustainable urban transportation, communication and surveillance. Technologists are constantly engaged in developing new airships that can cater to the increasing need for effective, clean and calm atmospheric surveillance for facilitating satellite communication for various purposes at lower costs. The latest trend is to develop eco friendly unmanned airships equipped with powerful engines and surveillance equipment. These airships are the future of sustainable urban infrastructure.

Unmanned airships

The advantages of building sustainable unmanned airships are too many. The low or almost no reliability of these crafts on non-renewable energy sources pave way for environmental and energy conservation. Pollution (air, water and soil) levels will come down drastically as these airships will emit little or no harmful residual gases into the atmosphere.

The modern unmanned airships are being fitted with engines and the advantages are manifold. The new generation of unmanned airships require minimum logistical support, i.e. they can stay up at different altitudes even when there is no or minimal wind for considerable periods without crew. In fact these unmanned crafts are extremely effective in cases of disaster management, military and even environmental surveillance.

1. HALE-D (High Altitude Long Endurance - Demonstrator)

The U.S. Army’s HALE-D is one such unmanned airship that is equipped with hi-tech surveillance capabilities. Developed by technologists at Lockheed Martin, the HALE – D is fitted with advanced technology equipment. The airship is fitted with a controlled vehicle recovery system so that when the airship is established over a remote area for surveillance it can be located and brought back to station. The craft also has remote piloting and control capability system. HALE-D has been developed by Lockheed Martin in collaboration with the U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command (SMDC).

Sustainable Attributes

The HALE -D, though equipped with a powerful engine, does not rely on a non-renewable energy source. In fact the unmanned airship has its own solar electricity generation system. The airship can be employed at high altitudes without polluting the atmosphere and can be used for weather and pollution monitoring, The craft can very easily be used to monitor a population segment for law and order enforcement. An useful feature of this airship is the fact that it can be brought back for servicing and sent up again on a very short notice.

2. HiSentinel

The Hi-Sentinel is another such unmanned airship being developed under the aegis of the SMDC in collaboration with the Southwest Research Institute (SWRI) San Antonio. This 179-foot unmanned airship has a diameter of 40 feet. The craft can stay afloat at a high altitude for at least a day. Initially the airship will have the capability to carry high-definition electro-optical sensors apart from advanced equipment for communications.

Sustainable Attributes

The HiSentinel is a solar powered long endurance stratospheric airship. HiSentinel is fully equipped with low cost yet high quality power and propulsion machinery, telemetry and flight control equipment. HiSentinel requires very little logistical aid. In fact, during launching, the craft displays a flaccid state. As it goes higher up in the atmosphere, the Helium within begins to expand and the airship bloats to resemble a balloon like a massive cigar. The HiSentinel has been built in a way that it can be launched easily from a remote area and does not require a very large and equipped hanger.

3. Stratellite airship

Developed by researchers at TAO technologies, the Stratellite airship looks more like a giant caterpillar and displays a unique segmented design. The airship has already been lab tested for internal combustion and is fitted with more than one engine to power it. When ready, the Stratellite will be equipped to carry a payload of 2000 pounds for almost 365 days at high altitudes and a speed of about 60mph.

Sustainable Attributes

The lighter than air airship has been built to stay up in the stratosphere for as long as 12 months. Designed to integrate hi-tech communications and wireless systems with sustainable solar energy collection mechanisms, the Stratellite will serve military and civilian purposes. The successful deployment of Stratellite will herald an era of environmentally favorable infrastructure. Telecommunications and surveillance will be conducted through an eco friendly, yet hi-tech platform. The possibility of setting up an instant aerial communications and monitoring system in case of a catastrophe or a major ecological crisis will become a reality.

4. GA22 unmanned airship

The GA22 unmanned airship is being developed by technologists at BAE Systems a company that has an established experience in developing unmanned autonomous systems. The airship is 72 feet in length and 18 feet wide. It has been designed to carry a payload of 331 pounds and will be able to fly at an altitude of 6,500 feet. The unmanned craft has undergone successful flight tests already and BAE systems has made an application for certification so that the GA22 can operate in civil airspace.

Sustainable Attributes

The GA22 can function both autonomously and with radio control. Equipped with the latest tech mechanisms, this airship can be deployed for communications relay especially during natural calamities like forest fires, floods or even shipping lines and large sports events. In fact the Helium airship is all set to redefine the efficiency of civil surveillance systems

5. Bullet 580

The Bullet 580 is an unmanned airship prototype designed by the 21st Century Airships Team, Inc., Canada in collaboration with a number of other agencies. The 231 feet long and 67 feet wide airship resembles a large cigar. Earlier models of the Bullet have flown successfully in the past and the 580 is all set to demonstrate its hi-tech capabilities.

Sustainable Attributes

The Bullet 580 runs on renewable energy source that comes from algae. The unmanned airship has specially been designed to create a sustainable environmentally friendly platform for a variety of important functions such as geophysical surveys, maritime and airspace surveillance, telecommunications relay, weather recording and more.

6. Argus One

The Argus One is a mid altitude, long endurance unmanned airship. This unique craft is fitted with advanced features, such as a stabilization system and automated controls which manage the course of the craft in mid air. Argus One is designed to carry integrated payloads. It is fitted with sensors, electronic equipment and cameras. Christened after the Greek deity Argus, this unmanned airship was specially built for the United States military. The craft can achieve wireless transmission of video clips within seconds.

Sustainable Attributes

The Argus One has been specially designed and built to assist super fast communications and surveillance services in cases of environmental disasters, national security situations, maritime missions etc. The low budget unmanned airship runs on environment friendly fuel.

7. Solar Airship Lotte

The Solar airship 'Lotte' was developed in Germany, and is being successfully used to monitor the traffic flow and air pollution levels. This unmanned solar powered airship is the ultimate example of a sustainable airship for clean and effective surveillance.

Sustainable Attributes

Equipped with a regenerative solar power propulsion mechanism, the 'Lotte' is the perfect sustainable unmanned aerial platform. The airship works wonders in high density population areas, especially in terms of pollution check and monitoring services besides state-of-the-art surveillance and communications infrastructure.