Envelope and Structure
NT - new technology with forward-looking engineering
The Zeppelin NT is designed to have the highest operating safety standards combined with exceptional passenger comfort and visibility. NT stands for New Technology.
The airship hull, made of a state of the art multi layer laminate material from the same company that creates the NASA space suits, is filled with non-flammable helium. Even a lightning strike will not affect the flight characteristics – another display of the uncompromising safety philosophy reflected throughout the ship’s construction.
Rigid Structure
The unique stability of the airship is based on rigid inner structure made of aluminum and carbon–fiber. All the main components such as the cabin, engines and empennage are mounted directly to this framework. This semi-rigid construction enables exceptional flight performance and allows for a quiet and stable passenger experience. The resulting low vibration also makes the Zeppelin NT an ideal platform for scientific missions allowing for sensitive test equipment to be mounted on board.
Remote Landing Abilities
The mobility of the Zeppelin is almost unlimited within its operational ranges. No runway is required, only a mobile mast truck to secure the airship overnight or during re-fueling. Oh, and we need a really big mooring circle!
Flight Control Systems
Propulsion Systems
Two lateral and one rear engine provide the flight control and propulsion for the airship. The three engines combine to produce a maximum speed of 78 miles per hour, with typical cruising speed of 35 to 40 mph. Because the engines are mounted far above the cabin the passengers experience low noise level. This position is also responsible for the high performance maneuvering capabilities.
Innovative Solutions - Vectored Thrust Engines
Unique in the aviation world, two lateral vectored thrust engines provide flexible flight characteristics. Each engine can be rotated 120° and combined with variable pitch propellers, give the airship unmatched ability to stop, hover, land and climb vertically. At the tail of the ship two propellers work off of one engine with a remarkable engine transmission. Here one propeller provides lateral thrust, similar to a helicopter tail rotor and the other propeller can rotate 120° to provide added hover capabilities or when lifted, provide forward thrust, synchronized with the other two engines.
Fly-by-Wire Controls - Agile and Fast
The Zeppelin NT has flight characteristics that the pilots of the historic airships never dreamt of. The vectored thrust engines are controlled with one of two joysticks mounted on either side of the cockpit providing precise control of the propulsion system and the flight controls on the tail fins, or empennage. Combined they offer tremendous benefit to land accurately and in a comfortable, nearly vertical, hovering approach and departure. It is the state of the art in aviation.