The production Airlander 10 is revealed as Hybrid Air Vehicles approaches the start of production, with negotiations continuing with commercial customers.
The updated aircraft has a fuel-saving, lower-drag shape; enhanced landing gear; wider, longer cabin for passengers, cargo, and equipment; and many other refinements. These features will provide the flexibility needed to deliver the unique experiences the commercial market is keen to offer to its customers.
“Unveiling the aircraft that our first commercial customers will receive is an exciting moment and an important milestone on our path to type certification,” comments Tom Grundy, HAV’s CEO. “The production aircraft will deliver more than just the capability and maintainability customers expect from Airlander technology. It will also deliver increased efficiency, with the Airlander 10 producing up to 75% fewer emissions than comparable aircraft. We are currently developing electric propulsion with Collins Aerospace and the University of Nottingham as we work to deliver zero-carbon aviation.”
HAV is currently in contract negotiations for the first four production slots, based on signed letters of intent for over ten aircraft with organisations in the tourism and clean technology sectors.
“Our current negotiations are the result of the strong interest in providing unique, responsible travel experiences that we’ve been seeing in the commercial sector,” Grundy adds.
As HAV approaches the launch of the production and type certification programme, we are also working to secure the investment required to establish a new, made-for-Airlander production facility.
Source: Press Release