Lockheed Martin is currently on contract to build a subscale prototype airship system, the High Altitude Long Endurance-Demonstrator (HALE-D). The performance goals for this prototype HAA include sustained operations for at least two weeks at 60,000 feet altitude, while providing 500 watts of power to a user-defined 50-lb payload suite. Driven by two electric propulsion motors, the HALE-D is powered by thin-film solar cells and rechargeable lithium ion polymer batteries. The HALE-D will demonstrate long-endurance station keeping and flight control capabilities.
Although these specifications are two years old, can you picture any other mode of transportation (like, say, maybe a helicopter !) where those specifications could possibly even be set forth for a manufacturer's product ?
Only an airship could possibly take those specs seriously.
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