Marshall Brain's Blog

[See previous new idea]

What happens if you combine a blimp, an airplane and a Harrier jump jet? You get an immense aircraft called the Walrus:

Walrus program launched to research large airlift vehicle

From the article:

DARPA's Walrus program will develop and evaluate a very large airlift vehicle concept designed to control lift in all stages of air or ground operations including the ability to off-load payload without taking on-board ballast other than surrounding air. In distinct contrast to earlier generation airships, the Walrus aircraft will be a heavier-than-air vehicle and will generate lift through a combination of aerodynamics, thrust vectoring and gas buoyancy generation and management.

There is also this: "It is intended to carry a payload of more than 500 tons 12,000 nautical miles in less than seven days at a competitive cost." That makes it sound something like an airborn navy.

Lots of photos in this article.