Summary

this paper is to consider the application of an inboard-wing design arrangement to high-capacity airlift and sealift logistic support vehicles. The inboard-wing arrangement consists of a relatively low aspect- ratio rectangular wing that has large bodies attached to each wing tip. All of the required wing area is located between the two bodies and there are no outboard cantilevered wing panels as are found on conventional aircraft. When compared to a conventional aircraft design the use of an inboard-wing design would permit an increase in capacity within more reasonable geometric constraints. In addition, such a design would provide the increased lift required without creating a potentially dangerous trailing vortex wake. The concept could be applied to an airship by utilizing twin hulls connected with an inboardwing. The hulls would contain helium to provide buoyant lift. The connecting wing would provide additional kinetic lift in forward flight. The additional lift would permit greater combinations of payload and altitude than would be possible with a conventional airship with buoyant lift alone. The concept could also be applied to a sealift vehicle by connecting twin hulls with an inboard wing. The under surface of the wing could provide a boundary for an air cushion that would permit operation as a wing-in-ground (WIG) vehicle with a speed advantage over surface craft. In addition, the wing would provide some lift that would enhance the payload capability