Airlander 10: The world’s longest aircraft revealed in new pictures
The aircraft could be a breakthrough for air travel
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.New photographs of the world’s longest aircraft have been revealed in anticipation of its official unveiling and first UK test flight.
The Airlander 10, which is part plane, part airship and part helicopter, is 92m long - around 15m longer than the biggest passenger jets.
The British firm Hybrid Air vehicles (HAV) have designed the craft to stay airborne for up to three weeks using helium and the vessel is able to travel at a speed of 92mph.
HAV will unveil the aircraft, standing at 26m high and 44m wide, in a First World War aircraft hangar in Bedfordshire on Monday and it will undergo its first test flight in a few weeks’ time.
As it is heavier than air, the Airlander 10 is able to land without tethers on a variety of surfaces, including water and ice, Sky News reports.
It was first developed in 2009 for the US government as a long-endurance surveillance aircraft but its manufacture was hindered by defence cut-backs.
HAV believe the craft could be used for a host of functions including surveillance, communications, delivering aid and even passenger travel.
It is hoped the Airlander 10 will eventually be developed to be able to transport 50 tonnes of freight.
The British firm have also stressed how the vessel, which is silent and emits no pollution, could be a breakthrough for air travel.
The firm is hoping to build 12 Airlanders a year by 2018, some of which can be used as passenger aircraft able to carry up to 48 people at a time, the BBC reports.
Chris Daniels, HAV’s head of partnerships, said: “This fantastic story of British innovation getting a unique aircraft fully assembled to do something both useful and commercially viable.
“We are ready to show the world the potential it can achieve in monitoring, search and rescue, cargo, aid distribution and even passenger roles.”
Additional reporting be Press Association
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments