The Concept

Markets

Flight Simulator

“Multiple Subcontractors” Model

• Agilecast, Inc. – Agilecast is Ohio Airships' leading choice to manage the entire Dynalifter production effort.  Agilecast has successfully managed many US Military technology projects on behalf of the Boeing Corporation, and has close ties with many aerospace, manufacturing, and business contacts.

 

• Conceptual Research Corporation – CRC, lead by Dr. Daniel Raymer (formerly Lockheed Martin’s Director of Advanced Design), has directed all Dynalifter technical development since Ohio Airships’ conception.  His firm has created a solid Dynalifter engineering foundation, allowing future engineering subcontractors to seamlessly continue development.  CRC is the leading candidate for creation of the Master Design.

• CRC has already provided Ohio Airships with the following Master Design workload estimates:

 

Structural Unit – This team of subcontractors will (1) produce all aircraft components which are not available “commercially off the shelf” (COTS), and (2) assemble the aircraft.  An example would be fabrication of the patented, internal structure.  The Structural Unit can be further broken down into the following categories:

Structural Design (for Master Plan)

Composite Engineering, Inc. – CEi is the leading candidate for the Dynalifter Structural Design.  Under direction of CRC, Composite Engineering supplied the first production cost estimation for Dynalifter Freighters. 

Aerodynamic Design (for Master Plan)

Conceptual Research Corporation – CRC will provide all aerodynamic designs.

Aluminum / Composite Fabrication

The final decision has not yet been made on whether to construct the internal structure with inexpensive aluminum, or extremely lightweight composites

Composite Engineering, Inc. – If composites are chosen, CEI would be a leading candidate for structural fabrication.

Euramax International – Although the company has not yet been contacted by Ohio Airships.  Euramax is a leading candidate for aluminum fabrication.  Euramax was formed in 1996 to acquire the fabricated products business of Alumax Inc., an integrated aluminum producer and one of the largest suppliers of specialty coated aluminum coil, aluminum building materials and recreational vehicle sidewalls in Western Europe.

Rigging

Spencer Rigging – Spencer Rigging is an equipment supplier to RNLI, aerospace, submarines, nuclear, horticulture, oil spillage, gas, water, and electricity industries.

Helium Cells

ILC Dover – ILC has applied its LTA technology to the development and fabrication of heavy lift vehicles. By utilizing the lift generated by a helium filled LTA vehicle, heavy loads can be transported in an economical manner. Working with CargoLifter personnel on this unique, world-class project, ILC designed and tested several prototype materials which prove to be some of the strongest LTA materials ever manufactured.

Landing Gear

Boeing – Boeing 747 landing gear are the proposed gears for Dynalifter Freighters.  These landing gear can be obtained either directly from Boeing or indirectly through Boeing suppliers.

Cargo Bays

Custom aluminum designs could be provided by companies like East Manufacturing (Alliance, OH) for cargo models and Airstream, Inc. for passenger models.

Aircraft Assembly

A number of companies could provide aircraft assembly, including Composite Engineering, Boeing, Airbus, or Worldwide Aeros.

 

Integration Unit – This may be a single firm who will integrate “commercially off the shelf” (COTS) components with the unique components produced by the Structural Unit.  An example would be the flight control systems.  The Integration Unit can be further broken down into the following categories:

FLIGHT CONTROL

Cockpit Integration / Avionics

L3 Integration L-3 Communications Integrated Systems - L-3/IS is recognized internationally as a systems integration organization specializing in the modernization and maintenance of aircraft of all sizes, and the study, design, development, and integration of special-mission systems for military and commercial applications. Headquartered in Greenville, Texas, L-3/IS also has operations throughout the world.

Fly-by-wire

Airbus builds its new fly-by-wire jets such as the A320 with built-in hard limits, or "protections." On all Airbus planes other than the older A300 and A310, computers prevent the pilot from putting the plane into a climb of more than 30 degrees where it might lose lift and stall. The maximum bank or roll allowed is 67 degrees. The plane's nose-down pitch is limited to 15 degrees. There are protections against overspeed.  And the computer won't allow the plane to make any extreme maneuvers that would exceed 2.5 times the force of gravity.

The Boeing Co., on the other hand, believes pilots should have the ultimate say. On Boeing jets, the pilot can override onboard computers and their built-in soft limits.

ENGINES AND PROPELLERS

Pratt & Whitney Canada – P&WC is a potential supplier of new or used engines and assorted propellers for the Dynalifter. Based in Longueuil, Quebec, P&WC is a world leader in aviation engines powering business and regional aircraft, and helicopters. The company also offers advanced engines for industrial applications. P&WC's operations and service network span the globe. We power the largest fleet of business and regional aircraft and helicopters – 40,000 engines in more than 190 countries. They employ 10,000 people around the world including 7,000 in Canada. P&WC is a subsidiary of United Technologies Corporation, a high-technology company based in Hartford, Connecticut.

PW 127 Design Features

Two spool turbomachine incorporating rugged twin centrifugal compressors with no variable geometry or interstage bearings for low complexity, two-stage free turbine, two module configuration, the reduction gearbox and turbomachine each with its own data plate and logbook, electronic engine control with mechanical back-up for ease of pilot operation and system redundancy, and conveniently located accessories for ease of maintenance.

APU’s

There are many different APU's available for the Dynalifter. The most common is the Garrett GTCP (Gas Turbine Compressor [air] Power unit [electrics]) 85-129 used on the Boeing 737, where it was a standard for the early series.

 

Certification Unit – This would likely be a single firm who would perform ongoing structural and aerodynamic tests, ultimately leading to governmental “Type Certification”.  This firm would also prepare and oversee a flight testing program for the first Dynalifter Freighter.

Paragon Transportation, LLC - Paragon is in the business of providing consulting engineering services for aircraft manufacturers, aircraft remanufactures airline aircraft operators, fixed base operators, repair centers, avionics manufacturers, and avionics installers. Our special areas of expertise are in: Understanding the requirements of and dealing with U.S. and overseas aircraft certification authorities.  Paragon provides the planning of all aspects of aircraft design, testing, documentation, and validation of major systems.

 

Facility Unit – This may be a single firm who would produce the production facilities (i.e. hangars, workshops, warehousing, offices, etc.).

 

Goodyear Zeppelin Airdock (Akron, OH) – Potential Dynalifter Assembly Site

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