Hybrid Air Vehicles Airlander 10
The Hybrid Air Vehicles Airlander 10 (originally developed as the HAV 304; nicknamed "The Flying Bum") is a hybrid airship designed and built by British manufacturer Hybrid Air Vehicles (HAV). Comprising a helium airship with auxiliary wing and tail surfaces, it flies using both aerostatic and aerodynamic lift and is powered by four diesel engine-driven ducted propellers.
| Airlander 10 | |
|---|---|
| The Airlander 10 in Cardington Hangar on 21 March 2016 | |
| Role | Hybrid airship |
| National origin | United Kingdom |
| Manufacturer | Hybrid Air Vehicles |
| First flight | 7 August 2012 (as HAV 304) |
| Status | Prototype |
| Number built | 1 |
| Developed from | HAV 304 |
| Career | |
| Other name(s) | The Flying Bum The Flying Buttocks |
| First flight | August 17, 2016 (as Airlander 10) |
The HAV 304 was originally built for the United States Army's Long Endurance Multi-intelligence Vehicle (LEMV) programme. Its maiden flight took place in 2012 at Lakehurst, New Jersey, in the US. In 2013, the LEMV project was cancelled by the US Army.
HAV reacquired the airship and brought it back to Cardington Airfield in England. It was reassembled and modified for civilian use, and in this form was redesignated the Airlander 10. The modified aircraft completed design certification testing before being written off when it came loose from its moorings in a high wind on 18 November 2017 at Cardington Airfield.
As of 2021, production of the Airlander 10 was planned for 2025. As of 2023, deliveries are expected in 2026.