AeronovaNews| Lighter-than-air materials: the economics and reality of fabric production
At the AERONOVA office, a meeting of the Academy of Aviation and Aeronautics Sciences section was held, dedicated to one of the industry’s most sensitive and strategic issues—envelope materials for aerostats and airships.
The meeting was attended by members of the Academy of Aviation and Aeronautics Sciences:
• specialist experts from Bauman Moscow State Technical University and MAI,
• representatives of the Dolgoprudny Design Bureau of Automation (DKBA),
• the engineering team of AERONOVA.
At the heart of the discussion was the feasibility of establishing production of aerostat fabrics in Russia. In recent years, the market has changed significantly. Under these conditions, the participants examined in detail what volumes and market conditions would make local production economically viable.
The key conclusion: without access to export markets and stable demand, production will not be able to recoup equipment costs within 1–2 years.
The situation could change in two cases:
• if related industries and alternative applications for the materials are identified,
• if the initiating company can achieve a sufficient level of in-house consumption of the produced fabrics—for readers’ reference, this would amount to about 30 envelopes manufactured per year for NOVA-2 series airships.
They also separately discussed issues related to the raw-material base and the current pricing situationin the market under the new economic realities. They also addressed constraints associated with importing specialized materials.
The experts exchanged assessments, experience, and perspectives on the further development of aeronautics materials.
Such discussions help shape a realistic strategy for New Generation Airships', grounded not only in technology, but also in economics.
Learn more about the New Generation Airships' project.
*The translation is done with the help of artificial intelligence.