British Airlander 10 get $2.7 million grant

British Airlander 10 get $2.7 million grant to revolutionize transport

The British Airlander 10 – the largest aircraft in the world – continues to attract investment. Designer of the craft, Hybrid Air Vehicles (HAV) have won a € 2.5 million ($ 2.7 million) grant from the EU from a fund to develop green transport initiatives. This sum is awarded on top of a £ 3.4 million grant from the British government earlier this year, with HAV also aiming to raise an additional £ 2 million through equity crowdfunding platform Crowdcube.

The British Airlander 10 can land anywhere and stay afloat for days.

Although airships like the Airlander 10 look awkwardly bulky, it has a number of unique advantages over traditional crafts. Since the Airlander uses inert helium to provide most its lift, it can stay afloat for days with nominal fuel costs. When it moves, it can only consume one-third of the fuel of other traditional aircraft (although much slower – only reaches speeds of up to 100mph). Its capability to hover means it can land anywhere including on water. The Airlander 10 also has one of the lowest carbon emissions of any aircraft in the world, and it’s capable of carrying up to 50 tons of cargo for distances up to 1,600 miles.

The craft was originally designed for long-term surveillance and reconnaissance by the US military, but when a budget cut scrapped the project, it was bought back by HAV. Now the company wants to use it for a variety of commercial purposes, including for freight, aid distribution, advertising, surveillance, communications and luxury passenger.” This latest grant from the EU will be used to develop a legal framework for the Airlander, a necessary step before orders for the craft can be placed.

British Airlander 10 British Airlander 10

British Airlander 10 get $2.7 million grant