Crazy Aircraft #40 - The Lockheed P-791

The P-791 is a blimp with a twist. It’s called a “hybrid airship”, meaning that it is slightly heavier than air, with engines and aerodynamics that provide the extra lift needed to get aloft. The idea is to build a ship able to carry huge loads over long distances. According to this article, “The United States Department of Defense is interested in the development of an airship capable of transporting heavy loads, 500-1000 tons of cargo, up to 12,000 nautical miles.”

The prototype flew in early 2006:

Learn more here: P-791 hybrid airship project

[See #39]