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SkyCat 200
Civil/Military Heavylift & Strategic Logistics
Summary
The SkyCat 200 is the mid-size craft in a family of Hybrid Air Vehicles ranging up to 1,000 tonnes payload capacity. The vehicles derive their flight capability from a mix of aerodynamic lift and helium buoyancy. Construction is based upon a series of current technologies brought together to form an evolutionary new mode of transport.
Envelope
Laminated fabric construction hull with internal catenary system supporting the payload module. The hull's aerodynamic shape, an elliptical cross-section allied to a cambered longitudinal shape, provides up to 40% of the vehicle's lifting needs. The internal diaphragms required to support this shape allow for a limited amount of compartmentalisation further enhancing the fail-safe nature of the vehicle. Pressure control is provided by mulitiple ballonents located fore and aft in each of the outer hulls.
Payload Module
Located on centreline providing roll-on/roll-off freight capability. Primary features are:
Flight Deck:-
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Flight deck forward on centreline above the forward cargo ramp. |
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Flight deck provides side-by-side pilot stations along with 200 ft² of accommodation for off-duty crew members. |
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Main load deck provides clear space for cargo/freight on a military rated floor structure. Mezzanine decking can be provided to give multiple lower load area. |
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Rear cargo ramp provides roll-on/roll-off access to load deck. Above door aperture is a further 400 ft² of accommodation space. |
Landing System
Hover skirts on the underside of the two outer hulls provide an amphibious capability with an enhanced (compared to conventional airships) ground handling ability. Hover skirts are 'sucked-in' for a clean-in-flight profile and enhanced all-round visibility. System shares use of ballonet fans with hull pressure system.
Power Plant
4 x 8,000 shp (6,000 shp max. cont.) turboshaft gas turbines. An engine within each stern duct drives a propeller. A single engine is configured forward on either side of the hull also within a duct. The forward engines are for ground handling and take-off. All four ducts are configured with blown vanes to allow vectored thrust for take-off, landing and ground handling operation.
Flight Controls
Dual-channel, optically signaled, flight control system.
Pneumatic System
Low pressure system for actuation of critical sub-systems that are required to have very low susceptibility to lightning strike and EMI.
Hybrid Air Vehicles has the most experienced Lighter-Than-Air design team in the world having designed, manufactured and had fully certified (FAA and CAA) for fare-paying passengers, five of the largest modern-era airships.
Principal data
| Envelope Volume: |
457,500 m³
(16.1 m ft³)
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| Overall Length: |
185 m (607 ft) |
| Overall Width: |
77 m (253 ft) |
| Overall Height: |
47 m (154 ft) |
Payload deck length: |
49.4 m (162 ft) |
| Payload deck width: |
7.5 m (24.5 ft) |
| Payload deck height: |
5 m (16.5 ft) |
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| Payload: |
200 tonnes |
Range:
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3,225 n.ms
(Max Payload)
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| Altitude: |
9,000 ft
(Standard version)
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| Speed: |
90 KTAS (Cruise)
110 KTAS (Maximum)
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