What started as a student thesis has now become a government-funded research contract. The NPS (US Naval Postgraduate School) students were the pioneers in studying the potential benefits and feasibility of the Airlander aircraft for defense. This research project, in collaboration with the Department of Defense (DoD) and HAV, has now entered its second year.
The initial year of the project focused on the Airlander 10 and its potential applications in maritime logistics support. Now, in its second year, the project will shift its attention to the Airlander 50, which has an extended payload capacity of 50 tons. The goal is to scale up the electric propulsion system to accommodate this larger payload. This entails exploring the complete electrification of a large aircraft and incorporating fuel-cell technology to enhance its range.
The primary objective of this project, like many others, is to explore low-emission and cost-effective alternatives for US military operations. The Airlander stands out due to its unique combination of low-emission propulsion and heavy payload capabilities. Additionally, its versatility allows it to safely land on various terrains, even without dedicated infrastructure.
In 2023, HAV collaborated with BAE Systems to explore potential defense applications for the Airlander 10. The focus expanded beyond logistics to include Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) operations and the recovery of unmanned aerial systems (UAS).
The military-configured Airlander aircraft has the capacity to transport massive payloads across vast distances of 3,000 nautical miles (3,700 km). Its size and volume can accommodate a complex array of onboard systems, ranging from computing and communication to specialized ISR instruments.
What sets HAV’s aircraft apart is its unique combination of impressive cargo capacity, autonomy, sustainability, and infrastructure flexibility. The Airlander 10 is designed to remain airborne for up to five days, operate from various flat surfaces (including water), and reduce fuel consumption.
These remarkable qualities also extend to the zero-emission version currently being explored in the DoD-HAV research project, leveraging the benefits of electric or hydrogen-electric propulsion.
Meanwhile, HAV is diligently working towards bringing the Airlander to the market. The company recently established an official production line in South Yorkshire, capable of producing up to 12 Airlander aircraft annually. Additionally, their main civilian customer, Air Nostrum, has doubled their initial pre-order this year, further validating the Airlander’s promising future.
