The MAAT project aims to investigate a future aerial transportation concept based on multiple airships co-operating as a cruiser-feeder system. MAAT is composed by tree modules :
- the cruiser, named PTAH, (acronym of Photovoltaic Transport Aerial High altitude system);
- the feeder, named ATEN (Aerial Transport Elevator Network feeder), is a VTOL system (Vertical Take Off and Landing) which ensures the connection between the cruiser and the ground;
- the vertical airport hub, named AHA (Airport Hub for Airship feeders);
- The feeder can lift up and down by the control of buoyancy force and displace horizontally to join to cruiser.
The project aims to:
- identify and design the best type of propulsion for the PTAH, a innovative airship able to remain airborne for long periods and to travel great distances, in order to reduce the environmental impact compared with the present systems; fuel consumption is negligible, because both cruiser and feeder are energetically autonomous by photovoltaic energy and innovative electric propulsion.
- study the different possible ways of approaching and docking between ATEN and PTAH, and consequently, the release of ATEN from PTAH.
- design the best procedure of docking operations in order to ensure adequate comfort to passengers and maximum safety level
- study the different architectures of PTAH and Athens, in such a way that :
i) the lift up capacity guaranteed by the buoyancy force, may be integrated by aerodynamic lift and propulsion system;
ii) effective and safe procedures are used for docking;
iii) ATEN can land and take off from Airport Hubs (AHA) located in major populated centres;
iv) PTAH satisfies the better possible aerodynamic performances related to the operative mission;
v) optimize the transfer operations of goods and people between ATEN and PTAH.
Coordinator
Università Degli Studi Di Modena E Reggio Emilia (Italy)
Other participants
ALMA MATER STUDIORUM-UNIVERSITA’ DI BOLOGNA
- Centro Interdipartimentale di Ricerca Industriale Aeronautica-CIRI Aeronautica
- Resp. Scientifico: Prof. Franco Persiani
Edl S.A. (Uruguay)
University Of Lincoln (UK)
Southern Federal University (Russian Federation)
Aero Sekur S.P.A. (Italy)
Engys Ltd (UK)
Universidade Da Beira Interior (Portugal)
Logisticnetwork Consultants Gmbh (Germany)
Vrije Universiteit Brussel (Belgium)
The University Of Hertfordshire Higher Education Corporation (UK)
Politecnico Di Torino (Italy)
Start date 01/09/2011
End date 31/08/2014
Duration 36 months
Project Reference 285602
Project cost 5.092.000 EURO
Project Funding 3.767.000 EURO
Area FP7-COOPERATION- AAT-TRANSPORT
Subprogramme Area AAT.2011.6.3-1. The cruiser/feeder concept
Contract type Collaborative project