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The Return of Sail Power: Cargo Ships Are Turning Back to the Wind

193 points · 136 comments · gumby

  1. WalterBright · · focus · HN ↗
    This seems to happen once every 20 years.
    1. sien · · focus · HN ↗
      Yep. They alternate decades with the 'Airships are returning for cargo' groups.
      1. walrus01 · · focus · HN ↗
        To date, they've achieved a very high level of advancement in making a new airship that looks like a butt. Sir Mixalot would be proud.

        <a href="https:&#x2F;&#x2F;www.google.com&#x2F;search?client=firefox-b-d&amp;q=airship+that+looks+like+a+butt" rel="nofollow">https:&#x2F;&#x2F;www.google.com&#x2F;search?client=firefox-b-d&amp;q=airship+t...

        1. Cthulhu_ · · focus · HN ↗
          I feel like I&#x27;ve seen that same thing for 20, 30 years now, lol
          1. mrguyorama · · focus · HN ↗
            You have. That airship&#x27;s maiden voyage was in 2012. The US DoD has pretty much never stopped throwing a few dollars at airship projects. They want them as long term air reconnaissance assets, but now satellites are competitive for that.

            Former Loring Air Force base in Limestone Maine has been the home of airship projects of various kinds since the 2000s. I got to see a few.

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