AEA Technology protects new Zeppelin airship from the threat of lightning

Citation

(2000), "AEA Technology protects new Zeppelin airship from the threat of lightning", Aircraft Engineering and Aerospace Technology, Vol. 72 No. 1. https://doi.org/10.1108/aeat.2000.12772aaf.013

AEA Technology protects new Zeppelin airship from the threat of lightning

Keywords AEA Technology, Zeppelin, Airships, Safety

Zeppelin has begun to build airships for the first time in 60 years and the aircraft could soon be used for monitoring sea routes, fishery protection, border patrols, advertising and tourism.

AEA Technology, which operates a lightning test centre at Culham, Oxfordshire, has been working with Zeppelin Luftschifftechnik to make sure the new Zeppelin LZ N07 is protected from lightning strikes.

A team from AEA Technology has provided expert advice on design to the German engineers to ensure that lightning will not cause problems. AEA informs us that the airship's carbon fibre and aluminium frame and fuel tank have been successfully tested at the centre with simulated lightning up to 200,000 amps.

The new Zeppelin airship can fly for up to 28 hours without refuelling and is more economical than ships, aircraft and helicopters. Road traffic observation and measurement of emissions for environmental protection are also probable applications for the airship.

The airship is 75m long and seats 12 passengers and two crew. It has three 200hp engines and can travel at a maximum speed of 70km/h at a height of up to 2,400 metres. Unlike the non-rigid "blimps", the airship's rigid frame will allow it to retain its shape and manoeuvrability, even if hull pressure is lost.

Details available from: AEA Technology Ltd. Tel: +44 (0)1235 433612; Fax: +44 (0)1235 436656.