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Airlander 10: £1m grant for craft to go 'all-electric' | Airlander 10: £1m grant for craft to go 'all-electric' |
(25 days later) | |
A grant of more than £1m has been awarded to make the world's longest aircraft, Airlander 10, all-electric. | A grant of more than £1m has been awarded to make the world's longest aircraft, Airlander 10, all-electric. |
Bedford firm Hybrid Air Vehicles (HAV), which is behind the combined plane and airship, says its wants to reduce its carbon footprint and create "zero-carbon aviation". | Bedford firm Hybrid Air Vehicles (HAV), which is behind the combined plane and airship, says its wants to reduce its carbon footprint and create "zero-carbon aviation". |
The money from the UK Aerospace Research and Technology Programme, may not "be enough" an aviation consultant said. | The money from the UK Aerospace Research and Technology Programme, may not "be enough" an aviation consultant said. |
The work could take several years. | The work could take several years. |
The project, named E-HAV1, will develop a prototype 500kW electric propulsor to replace its fuel-burning forward engines, HAV said. | |
It would take "several years" to develop the new engine and bring it to market, an HAV spokeswoman said. | |
The prototype £32m Airlander 10 was formally retired after its collapse in 2017, following six successful test flights. | The prototype £32m Airlander 10 was formally retired after its collapse in 2017, following six successful test flights. |
Work is now under way to develop the next Airlander 10 and full production due to start soon, HAV confirmed. | |
This version of the craft uses a combination of buoyant lift from helium, aerodynamic lift and vectored thrust. | |
HAV chief executive Stephen McGlennan said reducing carbon footprints was "one of the biggest challenges facing aviation". | HAV chief executive Stephen McGlennan said reducing carbon footprints was "one of the biggest challenges facing aviation". |
"This project will move us closer to our goal of zero-carbon aviation," he said. | "This project will move us closer to our goal of zero-carbon aviation," he said. |
Tony Dixon, an aviation consultant said: "We will have to see if they can prove [the new technology] can work, as its engines are already low in emissions, but the lower the better. | Tony Dixon, an aviation consultant said: "We will have to see if they can prove [the new technology] can work, as its engines are already low in emissions, but the lower the better. |
"I am not sure £1m will be enough." | "I am not sure £1m will be enough." |
HAV, Collins Aerospace and the University of Nottingham have been jointly awarded the grant. |
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