Look at this thing--it's supposed to fly? Well, apparently it will. California blimp-builders Worldwide Aeros Corporation's latest (Blade Runner-esque) project is a combination blimp/airplane. It takes off and lands vertically, but when moving forward, it also generates lift through...

Look at this thing--it's supposed to fly? Well, apparently it will. California blimp-builders Worldwide Aeros Corporation's latest (Blade Runner-esque) project is a combination blimp/airplane. It takes off and lands vertically, but when moving forward, it also generates lift through its cute little wings.

Unlike usual blimps, though, it has plenty of floor space--more than 5,000 square feet, which is about equivalent to that of a 747. The max speed is only 155 mph--alas--but then again, it looks pretty cool.

A lot of the lift would be generated by helium; the rest would be from the dynamic motion, powered by hydrogen. Plus, the fact that it doesn't need a runway could certainly be good for local ecosystems. It could even land / launch on water.

Aeros hopes to have a prototype completed by 2010.

Via Gearfuse