Modern heavy lift airship is a new kind of air vehicles which employ traditional airship technology, fixed-wing aircraft technology, rotary-wing aircraft technology and hovercraft technology. It has become one of the most popular vehicles due to its transportation advantages such as large carrying capacity, high maneuverability and no need of ground infrastructure. This article overviews the developing status quo of heavy lift airships and introduces in detail some related projects of airships for technical demonstration. The feasibility of the technology is investigated in terms of aerodynamic shape, forming-defining elements, buoyancy control and air cushion landing system. Finally, the future development of modern heavy lift airships is predicted.

modern heavy lift airship  /  hybrid power sources  /  heavy lift  /  long endurance  /  air cushion landing system