Hybrid Air Vehicles (HAV) has developed an updated Airlander 10 aircraft as the version that will go into production for initial customers.
The updated aircraft has a fuel-saving, lower-drag shape; enhanced landing gear; and a wider, longer cabin for passengers, cargo and equipment.
HAV has signed letters of intent for over ten aircraft, and is currently in negotiations for the first four production slots. Initial customers are organisations in the tourism and clean technology sectors.
The production aircraft will also deliver increased efficiency, with the Airlander 10 producing up to 75% fewer emissions than comparable aircraft. HAV is also currently developing electric propulsion systems with Collins Aerospace and the University of Nottingham.
For defence applications, Airlander has the ability to collect data with a variety of on-board sensors, process and exploit it, and disseminate intelligence across multiple channels. It can simultaneously act as an airborne intelligence command and communications centre.