A rigid airship relies on a solid internal skeleton, usually made of lightweight metal or composite rings and girders, to hold its aerodynamic shape. Unlike blimps, which depend on internal gas pressure to stay inflated, a rigid contains multiple unpressurized gas cells enclosed within its outer fabric envelope. This design allows them to scale to massive sizes and survive punctures without immediately losing their structural integrity.
Heard on the job
The historic hangar was originally built to house rigids, which is why the ceiling clearance is so massive.
Also heard as
- rigid airship