ZRCV

The ZRCV was a large dirigible aircraft carrier proposed by the Lighter-than-Air Bureau of the United States Department of the Navy and the Goodyear-Zeppelin Corporation. It would have been a 9.55 e6ft3 airship designed to carry nine Douglas-Northrop BT–1 dive bombers.

Building the ZRCV became impossible when the Roosevelt administration, which wanted greater investment in long-range patrol aircraft, placed an upper limit of 350 ft in length for any new rigid airships.

Origin of name
Previous Navy airships had used the designation "ZR" (Zeppelin Rigid), which was combined with the designation for aircraft carriers, "CV" (Carrier aViation).

Design
Like the Akron-class airships that preceded it, the ZRCV was designed as an aerial aircraft carrier. With a complement of nine BT–1 dive bombers, the ship would have required a strong keel and design more in line with conventional Zeppelins than the Akron-class airships. The ship was designed at 897 ft with a diameter of 148 ft. With a gas volume of 9.55 e6ft3, the ZRCV would have had a gross lift weight of 592000 lbs with a dead weight of 295000 lb. The design called for eight 750 hp engines arranged in four pairs, each of which would drive a single four-bladed propeller. Like the Akron-class airships, a complement of 60 sailors were expected to fly the ship. Fully laden with nine bombers weighing 6000 lb each, the ZRCV was expected to have an endurance of 175 hours at 50 kn and an ultimate range of 8750 nmi.

ZRCCN and ZRCVN
In the early 1970s, a Naval Research Lab report proposed reviving the Navy's lighter-than-air program with an updated, nuclear-powered version of the ZRCV. Dubbed the ZRCCN, the proposed airship would be substantially larger than the ZRCV with a length of 1000 ft and diameter of 200 ft. With a gas volume of 22 e6ft3, the ZRCCN would have a gross lift of 1.36 e6lb. The report envision equipping the airship with an 18,000 kW nuclear reactor to power propulsion system to provide practically unlimited range with a cruising speed of 80 mph at an altitude of 5000 ft and a cargo of up to 65000 lb. Such an airship could be used as a troop transport or for large loads of matériel. The main limitation on operations would be connected to radiation levels and exposure in the passenger area.

The report also suggested developing a strategic bombing platform using two ZRCCNs connected by a wing section and helicopter-type rotors with 800 ft separation between the airship hulls. This configuration, dubbed ZRCVN, would require a 63,000 kW reactor. This ship could carry 75–100 aircraft, making use of hangar space in the wing.