Modlam, as to the CURRENT status of Sanswire/TAO airships, I'd look to this latest information:
The next steps for the Sanswire 2A will be reassembly and a refitting of the airship's automated flight controls, telemetry systems, and ultra light- weight components that include new rear fins. Readying the 2A for flight- testing, initially in the mid-altitude range of 15,000 to 30,000 feet, will also require that propulsion and the automated stability systems be re- evaluated and possibly upgraded.
'Both TAO and GlobeTel/Sanswire are eager to complete work on the 2A, and give our technology partners a more comprehensive insight into the properties and capabilities of the 2A,' stated Jonathan D. Leinwand, Chief Executive Officer. 'We believe very strongly in our business plan to build and market airships for flight at all altitudes, and we look forward to completing the formation of Sanswire-TAO as soon as possible.'
The decision to continue the development and testing of the 2A in Stuttgart was attributed to the vast resources and knowledge of the TAO organization. The addition of the 2A to TAO's and Sanswire's current scheduled flight plans rounds out GlobeTel's atmospheric arsenal of low to medium to high altitude platforms.
