#CARGOLIFTER ARTIST CONCEPLTION SERIAL#

CargoLifter reverts to approved solutions and existing know-how in its development and yet it is still treading new ground. And in order for the total weight and flight characteristics of the airship to remain constant, the freight will be exchanged with ballast water. 100 meters in midair, the load will be lifted and lowered via anchor winches and four anchoring points. Due to its unique crane construction, the CargoLifter can load and unload without landing. Helium is used as a non-flammable lifting gas. The CL 160 is being constructed as a semi-rigid keel airship with a working heavy-load crane integrated inside the keel.

That is why CargoLifter has found its investors among many transport companies and industrial customers round the world. The expected cost of building one CL160 is about USD 60 million, which is roughly half the cost of a Boeing 747.

#CARGOLIFTER ARTIST CONCEPLTION SERIAL#

The first prototype of CL160 is planned to take off the ground in 2003 and its serial production should start in 2004/2005. Each airship is powered by eight CT7-8L turboshaft engines. The CL160 Airship is 260 meters in length and is designed to carry oversized cargo weighing up to 160 metric tons, at a maximum height of 2,000 meters, non-stop over a range of several thousand kilometers. CL75 AC will be ready for commercial use in 2002/2003.ĬargoLifter is also pursuing the CL160 airship, which is capable of carrying outsized and heavy goods over long distances. It will be capable of carrying an 86-short-ton-payload in either a crane configuration or as a towed vehicle. The company's first product, the CL75 balloon-based system, has been in prototype flight test since October 2001. The basic concept behind CargoLifter rests on proven technology while at the same time taking advantage of technological progress by the use of the most modern materials available. CargoLifter, in other words, is a ship with the air as its ocean. The CargoLifter stays in the air even when the engines are turned off. An airplane which is heavier than air requires energy for both propulsion as well as for creating lift. Therefore, energy is only spent on the airship's forward propulsion. The weight of the cargo is compensated for by the lift of the gas.

One cubic meter of helium can carry about one kilogram. The CargoLifter gains lift through the use of helium gas. CargoLifter is cooperating with a number of partners and potential users to further define and develop both markets and products. Listed on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange, CargoLifter AG has developed a unique capability to research, design, develop and produce airships and other lighter-than-air vehicles. The contract follows a Letter of Intent signed by the two companies in May 2002.ĬargoLifter AG, based south of Berlin in Germany, is developing lighter-than-air systems for logistics and other applications. Boeing and CargoLifter currently are taking the first steps to put together their team. The new restructured CargoLifter is able to use its extensive knowledge of lighter-than-air platform development to assist Boeing in establishing a lead position in the stratospheric airship market - a market that is set to grow significantly over the next decade. Airships may be a suitable platform for such applications. Several governments have research and development activities focused on stratospheric platforms to support communications and surveillance requirements. The contract, which provides for a detailed study of lighter-than-air stratospheric platforms, will enable Boeing and CargoLifter to coordinate efforts to bid as airship system suppliers for current and future programs.ĬargoLifter has the capability and expertise for lighter-than-air platform development, and we are excited to work with them. In July 2002 Boeing and CargoLifter AG signed a contract to jointly explore stratospheric airship concepts.

Cargolifter artist concepltion