Researchers have unveiled the world's largest motorized airship as Pathfinder 1 begins its first round of flight tests.
This giant airship is 400 feet (121.9 meters) long, which is almost twice the length of a Boeing 747-8 quadrotor, “the longest plane in the world.”
The balloon uses nearly 1 million cubic feet of helium and 12 electric motors to achieve vertical takeoff, at speeds of up to 75 mph (120 km/h).
The balloon was designed by LTA Research, a company backed by Google co-founder Sergey Brin.
Its creators say a vehicle like this could one day reduce the carbon footprint of air travel and shipping.
The Pathfinder 1 is the largest production aircraft since the 800-foot (245-meter) Hindenburg caught fire in 1937.
While the Hindenburg was filled with highly flammable hydrogen, Pathfinder 1 uses safe, non-reactive helium stored in 13 airbags.
With helium prices fluctuating amid the shortage, filling Pathfinder 1 could cost between $250,000 and $1 million.
Each tear-resistant airbag is held in place by a structure of 10,000 carbon fiber-reinforced columns and 3,000 titanium axles.
LTA Research says it uses advanced Lidar technology to constantly monitor gas levels in the balloon.
The entire frame is then wrapped in a synthetic material called Tedlar, which LTA Research claims is resistant to UV rays and fire.
While Pathfinder 1 may one day carry tons of cargo hundreds of miles, it is currently limited to hovering just a few feet off the ground.
On LinkedIn, the balloon's designers say: "In the coming weeks and months, the LTA Research team will subject Pathfinder 1 to rigorous testing to ensure safety and reliability."
Since receiving its special airworthiness certificate in September, Pathfinder 1 has undertaken the first stages of flight testing at Moffett Field, Palo Alto Airport, and parts of San Francisco Bay.
On September 8, Pathfinder 1 made its first test flight, remaining attached to a mobile tripod and staying off the ground the entire time.
Future tests will allow the vehicle to rise to 1,500 feet and travel over the waters of the Gulf.
The Pathfinder 1 has been in development since 2016, and LTA Research says it is currently developing a larger aircraft called Pathfinder 3.
The company's goal is to own a fleet of different balloons that can be used to transport goods or passengers, or to deliver emergency humanitarian aid.
The creators of Pathfinder 1 acknowledge that balloons will not solve the current problems of air travel, but they argue that they have an important role to play.
Russia is developing a new generation of unmanned military boats
KMZ announced that it is developing new drone boats for the Russian Ministry of Defense.
Regarding the issue, the company’s director, Mikhail Danilenko, said: “Our company is working on a project to develop unmanned military boats for the Russian Ministry of Defense, and we have begun manufacturing engines for these boats as well.”
Danilenko pointed out that the Russian army is supposed to receive the first ten new boats before the end of this year, and they will be tested in the area of the Russian special military operation, and after the success of all the required tests on them, the process of mass production of these boats will begin next year.
KMZ had previously indicated that the new boats will be characterized by lightness and durability, as their hulls are made of special mixtures of reinforced plastic and fiberglass, designed to protect them from various climatic factors as well, and the unique design of the hull protects the boat from sinking even if it is submerged in water. Fully.
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Each boat will weigh about 600 kg, and will be able to move at a speed of 80 km/h and cover more than 200 km on each mission. These boats will be armed with machine guns and guided missile launchers. They can also be used as boats to monitor coastlines and bodies of water, and to rescue people and ships that are involved in accidents. In addition, it is equipped with special equipment for towing water vehicles.