Boeing Pelican
| Boeing Pelican ULTRA | |
|---|---|
| Type: | Heavy ground effect aircraft |
| Design country: | |
| Manufacturer: | |
| First flight: |
so far only project study |
The Boeing Pelican ULTRA (Ultra Large Transport Aircraft) was a project study of a ground-effect aircraft . When flying close to the ground with the aid of the ground effect ( English wing-in-ground-effect or WIGE) a significant reduction in the aerodynamic drag possible. The effect makes it possible to transport large payloads over extreme distances with relatively little drive power. The reduction in resistance should be up to 70%.
The work was carried out in the 2000s at the Boeing Phantoms Works ( St. Louis , Missouri ), Boeing's think tank for research and development projects in aircraft construction.
development
The aim of the study was to develop an (air) vehicle with a very high transport capacity, primarily for military use, later at most for civil use. The device would have a wingspan of over 150 m (500 ft), a loading capacity of almost 1,300 t and a range of around 18,000 km (10,000 nm). Propelled by four turboprop engines, it would fly most efficiently at altitudes of around 6 to 15 m (20–50 ft) above the surface of the water.
If the device for cross-country flights rises to greater heights (up to over 6000 m), the range decreases. Take-off and landing would take place on conventional runways, with the weight being distributed over a total of 76 wheels over 38 landing gear legs. At the same time, it would be necessary to be able to fold the wings on the ground in order to be able to use existing airfields and their standard environments: The aircraft is roughly twice the dimensions of the currently largest aircraft, the Russian Antonov An-225 . The maximum payload of the An-225 (275.5 t) would be exceeded by about five times.
Little is known about the status of the project. A source reported that a study by the US Army (Army's Advanced Mobility Concepts Study) was to be published in April 2003 with a decision on the future fate of the project. The project was not given a priority in the study. Without the military as the most important first customer, the project is unlikely to be carried out.
variants
At least one civilian and one military variant is envisaged in the study.
operator
The United States Air Force , allied air forces and civil shipping companies are to be seen as potential operators .
Technical specifications
| Parameter | Data |
|---|---|
| length | 122 m |
| span | 152.5 m |
| Wing area | 4047 m² |
| Cargo hold area | 2790 m² |
| payload |
|
| Max. Takeoff mass | 2700 t |
| Top speed | 445 km / h |
| Marching speed | 350 km / h |
| Service ceiling | 6100 m |
| Range |
|
| Engines | eight propeller turbines in four engine nacelles, acting on opposing pairs of propellers. |
| power | 44,700–59,600 kW each |
See also
Web links
- The Pelican Boeing Frontiers online magazine (en.)
- Scientific American: Future Combat, Part 2 - Gigantic Pelican (en.)
Individual evidence
- ↑ [1] ( Page no longer available , search in web archives ) Info: The link was automatically marked as defective. Please check the link according to the instructions and then remove this notice. Newscientist (en.)
- ↑ Globalsecurity.org (en.)
