Hybrid Air Vehicle (HAV) is convinced that airships will play a leading role in the future of passenger transport. The most ambitious project of the British company, the Airlander 10, is presented as an airship that will produce 90% less emissions than a traditional aircraft .
One of the companies that was involved in the development of this huge aircraft rescued it just before it disappeared. However, in more than a decade of development, the project suffered numerous setbacks, but now it seems ready to take off.
The Airlander 10 was created in 2010 by HAV and Northrop Corporation for the United States Army . The initial plans contemplated that the airship would be used for surveillance and reconnaissance tasks. Although the project was canceled, the British firm that participated in its creation bought the prototype and continued its development.
After a few years, precisely in 2016, the world's largest aircraft successfully completed its first test flight. That same year, the team held a second one, but things did not go as expected. The huge 92-meter-long aircraft collided with a pole and crashed to the ground, damaging part of its cabin.
In 2017, another misfortune fell against the Airlander 10. The moorings of the 41 million dollar prototype came loose and quickly began to deflate. As a consequence, it suffered another impact that damaged the structure of the device, leaving two people injured and putting its continuity in doubt.
The rebirth of the Airlander 10
But the company did not give up and decided to continue betting on the project. In 2019 he continued with prototype development and announced that the Airlander 10 would be converted to a commercial airship aircraft . In 2021 they assured that it will have a highly customizable module capable of carrying cargo or transporting up to 100 passengers in a “large and spacious” cabin.
The Airlander 10 will feature a huge helium balloon and four propellers that will be powered by a combination of combustion engines and electric motors. According to the company, it will be able to require less fuel thanks to the combination of “floating helium lift, aerodynamic lift and vector thrust.” It will also be able to reach a maximum speed of 130 km / h and land on any “reasonably flat” surface.
According to CNN, the first hybrid airships of HAV are expected to be ready in 2025. However, amid growing awareness of climate change and emissions, the company intends that in 2030 all the new Airlander 10 units have 100% electric motors supplied by Collins Aerospace.
HAV CEO Tom Grundy says the Airlander 10 will be perfect for covering trips between cities. For example, between Liverpool or Belfast or between Seattle and Vancouver. He also believes that it could be useful in island countries such as Indonesia or Canada.
