Rising above
The re-emergence of airships as a sustainable mode of air travel is capturing the global imagination. In the early 20th century, huge engine-driven balloon-shaped Zeppelins were the first aircraft capable of controlled powered flight, but by the 1940s these lighter than air giants had lost out to much faster commercial airplanes.
Today, however, the urgency of climate change has seen several start-ups go “back to the future” to develop new types of airships as sustainable alternatives for some passenger and cargo flights. UK-based Hybrid Air Vehicles, US-based LTA (Lighter Than Air) Research and French company, Flying Whales, are three of the main contenders.
Trelleborg is an ideal partner to help the airship pioneers of the 21st century on their development journeys. Over the past two decades, Trelleborg’s engineered coated fabrics have become market leaders in the lighter than air sector. These advanced polyurethane materials for airship construction offer multiple functional benefits. The materials are robust enough to securely contain helium gas and support engines, while providing crucial protection against ultraviolet rays. Despite their strength, they remain sufficiently lightweight to facilitate high-altitude navigation.
“We are uniquely placed in this market segment due to our technical expertise and extensive processing capabilities,” says Kevin Maine, who is Commercial Director for Trelleborg’s North American aerospace business. “We blend polymers and textiles through various coating and laminating processes tailored to the unique needs of aerostats and other lighter than air applications. Our materials are engineered to perform exceptionally in diverse and demanding environments, ensuring reliability where it matters most.”
Sarah McGuire, Business Development Manager, adds, “Our 25 years of experience in aerostat applications has not only deepened our technical expertise but also enhanced our ability to innovate. The materials we’ve developed are crucial for the operational success and longevity of these applications.”
Aerostats are ground-tethered balloon structures that rely on helium buoyancy or static lift rather than floating in the air as airships do. Often equipped with cameras, sensors and antennae, aerostats serve critical roles in surveillance and reconnaissance, primarily for security applications. Trelleborg provides advanced materials essential for some of the major international entities in this segment. Beyond security, aerostats find applications in weather monitoring and enhancing telecommunications signals.
While aerostats and unmanned airship-style drones are the most common lighter-than-air aircraft, the proposed renaissance of airships is grabbing the headlines. Kevin Maine says their fascinating history, broad range of applications and sustainability profile make the future of airships really exciting.
The UK’s Hybrid Air Vehicles is developing its electric-powered airship to become an option for short-range sustainable flights of up to 100 passengers in more remote areas, such as the Scottish Highlands and Islands, where air travel is limited for geographic and commercial reasons. The company says its aircraft could emit 90 percent less carbon emissions than passenger jets. It plans to establish a UK manufacturing site in Doncaster. Already orders for a handful of aircraft have been placed by Spain’s Air Nostrum.
Meanwhile, LTA Research, started by Google co-founder Sergey Brin, has a vision of zero-emission airships being used to deliver food, water and equipment drops to speed up disaster response and relief work.
Flying Whales promises “a revolution in air cargo transport,” with a 200-meter-long and 50-meter-wide aircraft for carrying very large payloads — up to 96 meters long and eight meters wide. This could provide better access into hard-toreach areas such as remote mining sites in northern Canada that need huge specialized equipment that is difficult to transport.
There are still significant regulatory hurdles for airships, such as meeting stringent aviation authority equipment tests and for pilots to attain flying hours on a type of aircraft few people have flown in the past 80 years. However, Trelleborg is already actively engaged in supplying engineered coated fabrics for autonomous electric airships that are aimed at infrastructure monitoring of oil and gas pipelines and power lines, enabling early leak detection and minimizing waste and pollution. This technology also supports advanced agricultural practices, enhancing crop and weather monitoring to optimize farming efficiency.
Rick Malo, Plant Manager at Trelleborg’s Monson, Massachusetts, facility in the US, says, “Our role is pivotal in guiding our clients toward the most suitable coated material constructions, balancing helium retention and strength-to-weight ratios. We’re adept at managing the entire production spectrum, from sourcing to manufacturing, and excel in collaborative prototyping.”
McGuire adds, “Nearly every component of the ship itself, from the ballonet, a gas-filled bag in the airship that controls buoyancy, to the fin, hull and tapes, is composed of coated fabrics, affirming Trelleborg’s unique position in this market segment. Potential growth for this niche could significantly increase the demand for our materials.”
This is an article has been reproduced from Trelleborg's T-Time magazine. To download the latest edition, go to: www.trelleborg.com/t-time