Air Transportation Article Index : Current 1999 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012
 Latest
 News 		  Most
 Read 		  Most
 Commented		  Hot
 Topics

November 20, 1999

Seeking better rapid deployment capabilities, the Pentagon is looking into a Lockheed Martin (Skunk Works) project known as Aerocraft. This is a huge aerial vehicle, half aircraft and half blimp. It is being developed for commercial work; Federal Express and UPS are reportedly interested. The Aerocraft can carry one million pounds of cargo (eight M1A2 tanks or 18 Apache helicopters), and while it flies at only 75 miles per hour and range is limited to 2300 miles, the Army is eyeing the cargo capability and not worried about other factors. --Stephen V Cole