219:
571:
503:
205:
559:
34:
601:
drones. After completing their mission, the X-61A will use a proprietary air-recovery method involving a drogue-like receptacle and docking technique. After docking is completed the X-61A will be "reeled in" to the cargo compartment of the C-130. Testing is currently being conducted at Dugway
Proving
413:, each armed with two 250 kg (550 lb) bombs, was used operationally with good results against targets in Romania during the opening stages of the German–Soviet War. The same squadron later carried out an attack against a bridge on the River Dnieper that had been captured by German forces.
548:
In the blueprints there is a hangar at the top of fuselage where the cabin would be for an airliner, the hangar holds the microfighters. The back end of the aircraft carrier, at the bottom space near the fin has a section for "armaments and spare parts". In the bottom-front there is launch-bay for
487:
The
Lockheed CL-1201 was a study in the late 1960s for a giant atomic-powered transport airplane. Having a wing span of 1,120 feet (340 m), one variant studied was an airborne aircraft carrier with a complement of up to 22x F-4 Phantom fighter aircraft carried under its wings.
472:
fighters slung underneath. The Gnats were to have been released in enemy airspace to provide fighter cover, and they were expected to land "in friendly territory" or return to the Vulcan to replenish their tanks by means of a specially installed flight-refuelling drogue.
529:", with the ability to launch, retrieve, re-arm, and refuel the microfighters. Boeing believed that the scheme would be able to deliver a flexible and fast carrier platform with global reach, particularly where other bases were not available.
532:
Modified versions of the 747-200 and
Lockheed C-5A were considered as the base aircraft. The concept, which included a complementary 747 AWACS version with two reconnaissance "microfighters", was considered technically feasible in 1973.
408:
heavy bomber mothership and two to five fighters. Depending on the variant, the fighters either launched with the mothership or docked in flight, and they could refuel from the bomber. The definitive Zveno-SPB using a TB-3 and two
437:
parasite fighters. Operational F-85-carrying B-36s were to have been capable of refueling and rearming their fighters in flight, while deploying and recovering them on a trapeze-like structure similar to that of the
549:
releasing fighter aircraft and a recovery-bay near the armaments and spare parts section. In the bottom center of the aircraft's fuselage would be a section for fueling its reconnaissance Boeing Model 985-121s.
298:
were among the largest flying objects in the world and still hold the world record for helium-filled airships. They were just 20 ft (6.1 m) shorter than the German hydrogen-filled airship
690:
in flight and later release it again, but ZRS-4 could, while in flight, actually receive in flight five scout or reconnaissance aeroplanes and store them in a special hangar inside its huge belly.
1081:
185:
of 1924 initially envisaged an airship that could carry five fighter aircraft in military use, but this requirement was abandoned and the project saw only the civilian
972:
101:
The only dedicated examples to have been built were airships, although existing heavier-than-air aircraft have been modified for use in similar roles. Airborne
1137:
1157:
333:
on the morning of 4 April 1933, killing 73 of her 76 crewmen and passengers. This accident was the largest loss of life for any airship crash.
552:
There would be a sliding deck and pressures hatches which would pressurize and depressurize during the microfighters' launch and retrieval.
106:
433:
The B-36 Peacemaker strategic bomber was at one point in the 1950s intended to function as an airborne aircraft carrier for up to four
1026:
650:
939:
Force V: The history of
Britain's airborne deterrent, by Andrew Brookes. Jane's Publishing Co Ltd; First Edition 1 Jan. 1982,
853:
158:
363:
1204:
570:
980:
1106:
525:
conducted a study under a contract from the USAF for an airborne aircraft carrier for up to 10 Boeing Model 985-121 "
117:
73:
830:
541:
The design of the 747-AAC had space for a crew of 44. The aircraft was designed to carry 10 Boeing Model 985-121 "
44:
446:. No B-36 was ever equipped to carry the F-85, however, and the two prototypes only flew from a single modified
944:
679:
178:
fighters were launched successfully. The experiment was successfully completed with two other manned Camels.
802:
558:
635:
1176:
586:
Since 2015, the United States
Department of Defense has been investigating the prospect of deploying
447:
321:
served as an airborne aircraft carrier for launching and recovering F9C Sparrowhawk fighter planes.
51:
594:
590:
422:
284:
182:
16:
Type of mother ship aircraft which can carry, launch, retrieve and support other smaller aircraft
587:
269:
957:
738:
434:
146:
716:
921:
702:
686:...ZRS-4 was a real aircraft carrier. It had been found feasible to attach an aeroplane to
141:
314:
followed on 21 April 1933. The
Sparrowhawk fighters became operational in September 1932.
8:
768:
239:
287:
biplane fighters. The fighters were launched and recovered using a "trapeze" mechanism.
218:
1033:
808:
640:
625:
171:
940:
890:
743:
675:
645:
630:
542:
340:
299:
252:
209:
95:
864:
611:
526:
482:
223:
102:
410:
174:, in hopes that they could defend the airship. First an unmanned, then a manned,
204:
50:
The references used may be made clearer with a different or consistent style of
1058:
258:
130:
55:
1158:"Check Out This Novel Concept Of A Flying Aircraft Carrier By The US Airforce"
1002:
514:
aircraft designed to be an airborne aircraft carrier. It was a variant of the
1198:
902:(MA thesis). Monterey, California: Naval Postgraduate School. pp. 87–88.
804:
Commander
Describes Akron Tragedy While Navy Search Goes On 1933/04/06 (1933)
620:
615:
598:
428:
391:
344:
235:
175:
126:
1082:"DARPA Wants to Turn Cargo Planes Into Flying Aircraft Carriers for Drones"
916:
469:
405:
401:
397:
326:
268:
Following experiments with launching and recovering small aeroplanes using
358:
coast, though most of the crew were saved. The wreckage is listed as "USS
602:
Grounds with
International Air Response providing the contracted C-130A.
502:
459:
122:
91:
20:
515:
497:
352:
330:
151:
1032:. Air Force Flight Dynamics Laboratory. AFFDL TR 73-93. Archived from
1027:"Investigation of a Micro-Fighter / Airborne Aircraft Carrier Concept"
343:, five single-seat Curtiss F9C Sparrowhawks for scouting or two-seat
262:
246:
111:
94:
aircraft which can carry, launch, retrieve and support other smaller
894:: Military Innovation, Rigid Airships, and the U.S. Navy (1900–1939)
135:
1107:"Flying Aircraft Carriers: US Plans To Release Drones From C-130"
465:
382:
class which was not built. It would have carried 9 dive bombers.
355:
1059:"Gremlins Program Completes First Flight Test for X-61A Vehicle"
522:
511:
464:
To counter improving Soviet defences after the cancellation of
170:
In July 1917, experiments were made with aircraft slung under
1061:. Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency. 17 January 2020
545:" with the ability to launch, retrieve, re-arm and refuel.
375:
190:
186:
510:
Boeing 747-AAC (Airborne
Aircraft Carrier) was a proposed
347:
for training. In service for less than two years, in 1935
317:
During her accident-prone 18-month term of service, the
491:
823:
1138:"Boeing Once Considered A 747 Fighter Jet Carrier"
1004:The Air Force's Crazy 747 Aircraft Carrier Concept
958:"Thunder & Lightnings - Avro Vulcan - History"
1196:
283:with internal hangars able to house a number of
973:"The Lockheed CL-1201 Flying Aircraft Carrier"
909:
739:"Plane Hitched to Dirigible by Hook in Flight"
518:and a concept which never made it to reality.
1025:Nelson, B. D.; et al. (September 1973).
863:(Autumn/Winter 1999–2000): 53. Archived from
651:List of fictional airborne aircraft carriers
1136:McFadden, Christopher (17 September 2020).
597:cargo aircraft. The plane will be able to
581:
416:
290:With lengths of 785 ft (239 m),
762:Vaeth, J. Gordon (January 1992). "U.S.S.
453:
74:Learn how and when to remove this message
19:For other kinds of carrier aircraft, see
1135:
1079:
970:
919:(October 1975). "Parasitic Protectors".
506:747 "airborne aircraft carrier" concept
501:
217:
203:
915:
831:"10 Worst Airship Disasters in History"
265:and operational between 1931 and 1935.
1197:
1024:
888:
1156:Nisa, Jannat Un (25 September 2020).
786:
761:
159:Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow
1155:
576:Sliding deck and pressurized hatches
492:Boeing 747 Airborne Aircraft Carrier
468:, Avro proposed a Vulcan with three
400:during the 1930s, it consisted of a
364:National Register of Historic Places
351:was damaged in a storm and lost off
27:
1080:Mizokami, Kyle (19 December 2017).
851:
669:
476:
165:
13:
226:launches from its trapeze beneath
14:
1216:
118:Captain Scarlet and the Mysterons
971:Santiago, J. P. (10 June 2010).
672:Balloons and Airships, 1783-1973
569:
557:
385:
378:was a proposed successor to the
310:first flew on 8 August 1931 and
32:
1099:
1073:
1051:
1018:
995:
964:
950:
933:
882:
674:. Blanford Press. p. 204.
107:various types appear in fiction
1129:
845:
795:
780:
755:
731:
709:
695:
663:
339:was designed to carry biplane
196:
1:
705:. The Airship Heritage Trust.
656:
564:C5-AAC and its configurations
362:Airship Remains" on the U.S.
719:. The Airship Heritage Trust
7:
605:
599:deploy, support and recover
10:
1221:
1205:Airborne aircraft carriers
1142:interestingengineering.com
717:"Imperial Airship Service"
636:Submarine aircraft carrier
495:
480:
457:
426:
420:
389:
18:
889:Miller, Casey L. (2020).
854:"False-Failed Innovation"
536:
275:, the U.S. Navy designed
88:airborne aircraft carrier
892:'What About the Airship?
787:Jones, Lloyd S. (1977).
591:unmanned aerial vehicles
214:in flight, November 1931
193:airships to completion.
595:Lockheed C-130 Hercules
582:Lockheed C-130 Hercules
423:Convair B-36 Peacemaker
417:Convair B-36 Peacemaker
369:
285:Curtiss F9C Sparrowhawk
183:Imperial Airship Scheme
751:(2): 182. August 1930.
588:Dynetics X-61 Gremlins
507:
454:Fighter-support Vulcan
231:
215:
156:and an unnamed one in
129:, the Iron Vulture, a
1162:Wonderful Engineering
861:Joint Force Quarterly
670:Ege, Lennart (1973).
505:
435:McDonnell F-85 Goblin
221:
207:
852:Wilmoth, Gregory C.
521:In the early 1970s,
789:U.S. Naval Fighters
769:National Geographic
766:: Lost and Found".
325:was destroyed in a
1181:www.boeing-747.com
1007:, 12 February 2019
977:Tails Through Time
809:Universal Newsreel
791:. Aero Publishers.
641:Composite aircraft
626:Helicopter carrier
508:
232:
216:
1086:Popular Mechanics
922:Aeroplane Monthly
833:. 7 November 2012
744:Popular Mechanics
646:Mid-air retrieval
631:Parasite aircraft
396:Developed in the
341:parasite aircraft
329:off the coast of
257:, were built for
172:HM Airship No. 23
103:aircraft carriers
96:parasite aircraft
84:
83:
76:
1212:
1191:
1189:
1187:
1177:"Boeing 747 AAC"
1172:
1170:
1168:
1152:
1150:
1148:
1123:
1122:
1120:
1118:
1113:. 3 January 2018
1103:
1097:
1096:
1094:
1092:
1077:
1071:
1070:
1068:
1066:
1055:
1049:
1048:
1046:
1044:
1038:
1031:
1022:
1016:
1015:
1014:
1012:
999:
993:
992:
990:
988:
979:. Archived from
968:
962:
961:
954:
948:
937:
931:
930:
913:
907:
904:
901:
886:
880:
879:
877:
875:
869:
858:
849:
843:
842:
840:
838:
827:
821:
820:
818:
816:
799:
793:
792:
784:
778:
777:
759:
753:
752:
735:
729:
728:
726:
724:
713:
707:
706:
699:
693:
692:
667:
612:Aircraft cruiser
573:
561:
483:Lockheed CL-1201
477:Lockheed CL-1201
411:Polikarpov I-16s
224:Consolidated N2Y
166:Airship projects
79:
72:
68:
65:
59:
36:
35:
28:
1220:
1219:
1215:
1214:
1213:
1211:
1210:
1209:
1195:
1194:
1185:
1183:
1175:
1166:
1164:
1146:
1144:
1132:
1127:
1126:
1116:
1114:
1105:
1104:
1100:
1090:
1088:
1078:
1074:
1064:
1062:
1057:
1056:
1052:
1042:
1040:
1039:on 3 April 2019
1036:
1029:
1023:
1019:
1010:
1008:
1001:
1000:
996:
986:
984:
983:on 1 March 2016
969:
965:
956:
955:
951:
938:
934:
914:
910:
899:
887:
883:
873:
871:
870:on 19 July 2013
867:
856:
850:
846:
836:
834:
829:
828:
824:
814:
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800:
796:
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737:
736:
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682:
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664:
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584:
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565:
562:
539:
500:
494:
485:
479:
462:
456:
431:
425:
419:
394:
388:
372:
261:duties for the
202:
168:
80:
69:
63:
60:
49:
43:has an unclear
37:
33:
24:
17:
12:
11:
5:
1218:
1208:
1207:
1193:
1192:
1173:
1153:
1131:
1128:
1125:
1124:
1098:
1072:
1050:
1017:
994:
963:
949:
932:
908:
881:
844:
822:
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779:
754:
730:
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680:
661:
660:
658:
655:
654:
653:
648:
643:
638:
633:
628:
623:
618:
607:
604:
593:from modified
583:
580:
579:
578:
575:
568:
566:
563:
556:
538:
535:
496:Main article:
493:
490:
481:Main article:
478:
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458:Main article:
455:
452:
421:Main article:
418:
415:
390:Main article:
387:
384:
371:
368:
236:rigid airships
201:
195:
167:
164:
131:hybrid airship
82:
81:
45:citation style
40:
38:
31:
15:
9:
6:
4:
3:
2:
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1054:
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1028:
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982:
978:
974:
967:
959:
953:
946:
942:
936:
928:
924:
923:
918:
917:Gunston, Bill
912:
906:
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893:
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866:
862:
855:
848:
832:
826:
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806:
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758:
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746:
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734:
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698:
691:
689:
683:
677:
673:
666:
662:
652:
649:
647:
644:
642:
639:
637:
634:
632:
629:
627:
624:
622:
621:Drone carrier
619:
617:
616:Battlecarrier
613:
610:
609:
603:
600:
596:
592:
589:
572:
567:
560:
555:
554:
553:
550:
546:
544:
543:microfighters
534:
530:
528:
527:microfighters
524:
519:
517:
513:
504:
499:
489:
484:
474:
471:
467:
461:
451:
449:
445:
441:
436:
430:
429:FICON project
424:
414:
412:
407:
403:
399:
393:
392:Zveno project
386:Zveno project
383:
381:
377:
367:
365:
361:
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229:
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213:
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199:
194:
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188:
184:
179:
177:
176:Sopwith Camel
173:
163:
161:
160:
155:
153:
148:
144:
143:
138:
137:
132:
128:
127:Marvel Comics
124:
120:
119:
114:
113:
108:
104:
99:
97:
93:
90:is a type of
89:
78:
75:
67:
64:December 2022
57:
53:
47:
46:
41:This article
39:
30:
29:
26:
22:
1184:. Retrieved
1180:
1165:. Retrieved
1161:
1145:. Retrieved
1141:
1115:. Retrieved
1110:
1101:
1089:. Retrieved
1085:
1075:
1063:. Retrieved
1053:
1041:. Retrieved
1034:the original
1020:
1009:, retrieved
1003:
997:
987:28 September
985:. Retrieved
981:the original
976:
966:
952:
935:
926:
920:
911:
905:
898:
895:
891:
884:
872:. Retrieved
865:the original
860:
847:
835:. Retrieved
825:
813:. Retrieved
803:
797:
788:
782:
773:
767:
763:
757:
748:
742:
733:
721:. Retrieved
711:
697:
687:
685:
671:
665:
585:
551:
547:
540:
531:
520:
509:
486:
463:
443:
439:
432:
406:Tupolev TB-3
402:Tupolev TB-1
398:Soviet Union
395:
379:
373:
359:
353:California's
348:
336:
335:
327:thunderstorm
322:
318:
316:
311:
307:
306:
300:
295:
291:
289:
280:
276:
271:
267:
253:
247:
240:
233:
227:
210:
197:
181:The British
180:
169:
157:
150:
140:
134:
116:
110:
100:
87:
85:
70:
61:
42:
25:
1186:5 September
1167:5 September
1147:5 September
1130:Works cited
1117:25 February
1091:25 February
1043:21 November
815:22 February
688:Los Angeles
460:Avro Vulcan
345:Fleet N2Y-1
272:Los Angeles
123:Helicarrier
92:mother ship
21:Mother ship
1111:Forces.net
1065:31 January
1011:11 January
945:0710602383
929:(10): 483.
776:: 114–127.
681:071370568X
657:References
516:Boeing 747
498:Boeing 747
427:See also:
331:New Jersey
301:Hindenburg
152:Doctor Who
109:, such as
56:footnoting
270:USS
263:U.S. Navy
112:Cloudbase
1199:Category
947:, p.131.
703:"HMA 23"
606:See also
442:and the
259:scouting
234:The two
147:series 3
136:Talespin
52:citation
837:3 March
723:10 June
466:Skybolt
356:Big Sur
238:of the
142:Valiant
943:
874:16 May
811:. 1933
678:
537:Design
523:Boeing
512:Boeing
200:-class
139:, the
121:, the
1037:(PDF)
1030:(PDF)
900:(PDF)
868:(PDF)
857:(PDF)
764:Macon
444:Macon
440:Akron
404:or a
380:Akron
360:Macon
349:Macon
337:Macon
323:Akron
319:Akron
312:Macon
308:Akron
296:Macon
292:Akron
281:Macon
277:Akron
254:Macon
248:Akron
243:class
241:Akron
228:Akron
211:Akron
198:Akron
145:from
133:from
125:from
1188:2022
1169:2022
1149:2022
1119:2019
1093:2019
1067:2020
1045:2015
1013:2024
989:2015
941:ISBN
876:2013
839:2013
817:2012
725:2009
676:ISBN
470:Gnat
448:B-29
376:ZRCV
374:The
370:ZRCV
294:and
279:and
251:and
208:The
191:R101
189:and
187:R100
54:and
774:181
149:of
115:in
105:of
86:An
1201::
1179:.
1160:.
1140:.
1109:.
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975:.
925:.
859:.
807:.
772:.
749:54
747:.
741:.
684:.
450:.
366:.
304:.
245:,
222:A
162:.
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1171:.
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1069:.
1047:.
991:.
960:.
927:3
878:.
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727:.
614:/
230:.
154:,
77:)
71:(
66:)
62:(
58:.
48:.
23:.
Text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License. Additional terms may apply.
