AEROSTATIC SYSTEMS IN DEFENSE APPLICATIONS: THE CURRENT CHALLENGES AND THE STATE OF THE ART

• Дата: 2026
• Автори: SHAMAKHANOV, V. K., TEROKHIN, B. I., LAPKHANOV, E. O.
• Формат: Стаття
• Опубліковано: текст 3 2026
• Онлайн доступ: https://journal-itm.dp.ua/ojs/index.php/ITM_j1/article/view/187
• Назва журналу: Technical Mechanics

Aerostatic systems of the airship type have more than a century of engineering development and continue to attract attention within the scientific and technical community today. On the one hand, this can be explained by the fact that lighter-than-air vehicles require lower fuel consumption and onboard energy to maintain their position in the airspace. On the other hand, optimal airship configurations may be effective means of cargo transportation and platforms for equipment of various purposes, including scientific, meteorological, and military payloads. Considering these factors, this paper analyzes the state of the art in the development of aerostatic and airship systems for various applications. Based on this analysis, the paper identifies the advantages and drawbacks of using lighter-than-air vehicles in the Earth’s dense atmosphere and challenges associated with their use for different purposes. It is also shown that airship systems can serve as an effective element of air defense systems against hazardous unmanned aerial vehicles. In this context, the objective of this study is to identify key challenges in the design of airship systems intended for the protection of Ukraine’s critical infrastructure against dangerous unmanned aerial vehicles. To achieve this objective, the paper analyzes the state of the art in the development of materials for envelopes and structural elements of modern airships, the features of navigation and control system development, and the payload capacity depending on the aerostat geometry. As a result, technical requirements for the development of airship-type aerostatic systems for airspace and critical infrastructure protection are formulated, and lines of further research aimed at resolving the key challenges in the design of such systems are identified. REFERENCES 1. Manikandan M., Pant R.S. Research and advancements in hybrid airships-A review. 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