Hybrid Air Vehicles , the caller behind the Airlander 10 dirigible ( the world ’s long aircraft and also known as the “ flying bum ” for itsresemblance to a behind ) , said on Sunday that its current epitome will not be rebuilt but that it plans to ramp up a new generation of dirigible , theGuardian reported .

“ Our focus is now altogether on bringing the first batch of production - standard , type - attest Airlander 10 aircraft into service with client , ” order Stephen McGlennan , the ship’s company ’s chief executive .

“ The prototype served its role as the world ’s first full - sized intercrossed aircraft , provide us with the data we needed to move forward from prototype to production - standard . As a result , we do not design to aviate the prototype aircraft again . ”

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HAV describes the 302 - foot ( 92 metre ) Airlander 10on its websiteas combining the “ good characteristics of set wing aircraft and helicopters with lighter - than - air technology to create a raw breed of hyper - efficient aircraft . ” Constructed out of carbon fiber , kevlar , and mylar , and stay on aloft on inert helium , the cunning was co - prepare byHAV and Northrop Grummanfor the U.S. Army ’s experimental Long Endurance Multi - intelligence Vehicle ( LEMV ) program and dub the HAV 304 .

LEMV was after scrub by the military and the dirigible was buy back by HAV , transferred back to one of its facility in Cardington , and convert into the Airlander 10 , a civilian model . accord to the Guardian , it has reach altitudes of 7,000 foot ( 2,134 meters ) and a top stop number of 50 knots .

Beyond its sizing and butt - same appearing , the Airlander 10 is also eff for accident during its two of its six test flight . In August 2016 , the airshipcrashed after taking offfrom RAF Cardington airfield in Bedfordshire . In November 2017 , the craft tore free of its mooring before pull assailable , withthe unshakable sayingthe resulting deflation was the result of automatic safe feature plan to land it down if it broke gratis of its mast . One person suffered venial injury in the latter incident .

Argentina’s President Javier Milei (left) and Robert F. Kennedy Jr., holding a chainsaw in a photo posted to Kennedy’s X account on May 27. 2025.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mg-RPTiVa_Q

According to the Guardian , HAV had to abandon plans to use the Airlander 10 prototype as a “ test article and sales demonstrator ” after the latter incident , though it succeed over $ 25 million ( 20 million pounds ) in insurance payouts for the “ very significant terms ” to the airship . McGlennan stated that HAV is now focused on move forward to a production - quick Airlander model , including “ all the details that make the difference between a image and a product . ” The Guardian tote up that HAV looks like rapidly moving through the regulatory process :

The caller , establish in 2007 , added it was in a “ strong positioning to establish production ” of the raw aircraft , with the pattern already approved by the European Aviation Safety Agency .

William Duplessie

It said that it usually accept more than a year to prepare a adroitness for a CAA production organisation approval audited account , but the Airlander Technology Centre was audit - ready within six months .

Asthe Verge observe , in addition to whatever heir is project for Airlander 10 , HAV is also design anAirlander 50 modelit describes as its “ big sidekick , ” capable of conduct 55 U.S. tons .

[ The Guardianviathe Verge ]

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