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Phoenix666 [soylentnews.org] writes:

Lockheed Martin has been given the green light to build its radical hybrid airship that will launch in 2018 [dailymail.co.uk].

The US Federal Aviation Administration has this week approved a certification plan developed by the company, taking it one step closer to starting commercial deliveries.

Lockheed says the airships can transport heavy cargo to remote locations, burn significantly less fuel than conventional aircraft and land on any flat surface, including sand, snow and water.
...
The airship, filled mostly with helium, can carry 20 tons of cargo, but can be scaled to roughly the size of a football field with 500 tons of capacity. The exact dimension have not yet been given.

It will have a fuel capacity of 5,000 gallons with a range of 1,400 nautical miles, and can cruise at a speed of 60 knots.

Its four hovercraft-like landing pads would allow it to set down on flat land without being required to be moored on large towers like traditional airships.

Lift is generated from the hull, and propulsion comes from thrust generation and landing comes from an air cushion landing system.

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