Hydrogen-powered airships may become the backbone of transport logistics in the coming years. Company H2 Clipper is developing air transport and promises to present a prototype in three years.
What is known
H2 Clipper completed aerodynamic modeling of the behavior of air transport using hydrogen as a fuel. We are talking, of course, about digital modeling. The developer declares that the information obtained will form the basis of the characteristics of the project.
Development H2 Clipper started last year. The first prototype will be created in 2025. The company believes its hydrogen airship will be airborne by 2028.
The manufacturer believes that H2 Clipper can perform two functions at once. First, to transport hydrogen over a distance of 1600 km. It will be cheaper than building pipelines. Secondly, to transport the goods. According to the developers, the airship will be able to transport cargo weighing more than 154,000 kg (340,000 pounds). This is comparable to the mass of 115 cars Toyota Corolla. Max Speed H2 Clipper will be 280 km/h (175 mph). Cargo ships move many times slower. Flight range – up to 9650 km (6000 miles).
Airplane Boeing 787 dreamliner can reach speeds of more than 900 km / h, however H2 Clipper will reduce the cost of transportation by four times in comparison with air transportation. In addition, the airship does not need large logistics complexes for takeoff and landing. Well, the use of hydrogen fuel cells paired with electric motors solves the issue of harmful emissions.
