Russia is seriously considering the possibility of using airships to transport goods to the Arctic regions. Such a solution could be a response to the crisis in civil aviation and logistics problems in hard-to-reach areas.
The Ministry of Transport and the Federal Air Transport Agency are working on projects to create modern cargo airships. The new models will be able to transport up to 200 tons of cargo, compensating for the low speed of 100 km/h with their carrying capacity. Unlike the dangerous hydrogen airships of the past, modern devices will use safe helium.
Delivery of goods to the Arctic regions remains a challenge due to the lack of roads and limited aviation capabilities. Airships can become a reliable solution for northern deliveries, providing regular supplies of fuel, products and equipment.
The idea of using airships is not new. Back in 2016, it was proposed to create balloons with a carrying capacity of up to 16 tons, but then the project was not implemented. Now the initiative has been supported by scientists from the Kuzbass State Technical University, proposing the use of airships to transport coal under the conditions of sanctions restrictions on rail transportation.
The development of a new generation of airships is estimated at $1 million per 1 thousand cubic meters. The total project budget may amount to 38 billion rubles. The authorities are exploring the possibility of creating a special working group to develop this area.
Airships can be an effective solution for cargo transportation in the Arctic, but their implementation will require significant investment and time.
Source: @menteetmalleo
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