Hybrid Air Vehicles
| File:Hybrid Air Vehicles logo.jpg | |
| Company type | Limited |
|---|---|
| Industry | Aviation |
| Predecessor | SkyCat Group Ltd |
| Founded | 2007 |
| Founder | Roger Munk |
| Headquarters | , |
Area served | Worldwide |
Key people | Sam Macleod (Chairman) Tom Grundy (Chief Executive) |
| Products | Airlander 10 |
| Website | www |
Hybrid Air Vehicles (HAV) Limited is a British company specialising in the manufacture of hybrid airships, although production ceased following the crash of its most recent demonstrator in November 2017. These aircraft combine aerodynamic lift with lighter-than-air (LTA) principles, enabling them to remain airborne for extended durations, potentially spanning several weeks.[1]
The company pioneered the HAV 3 technology demonstrator, securing the US Army’s LEMV contract alongside prime contractor Northrop Grumman. This collaboration resulted in the development of the HAV 304. After the LEMV programme was discontinued, the HAV 304 was converted into the civilian Airlander 10, which held the distinction of being the largest flying aircraft at that time. The Airlander 10 sustained damage in a 2016 incident and was ultimately written off following another accident at its mooring mast in 2017. The organisation has confirmed that no reconstruction will be undertaken.
Foundations
Hybrid Air Vehicles represents the latest evolution in a succession of UK companies that have inherited and advanced airship technology. Beginning with Aerospace Developments established in 1971, ownership and assets transitioned through entities including Airship Developments, Airship Industries, Westinghouse Airships, Airship Technologies, Advanced Technologies Group (ATG), and immediately prior to HAV, the SkyCat group which ceased operations in 2007.
Throughout these transitions, several airships and hybrid designs were constructed.
Multi-hull airships
Hybrid Air Vehicles was founded in 2007 by Roger Munk (Jeffrey Roger Munk 1947–2010).[2] The company took over the assets of SkyCat group and established its base at Cardington Airfield, Bedfordshire, UK.
The HAV 3 technology demonstrator was developed by the firm. In collaboration with prime contractor Northrop Grumman (NGC), it secured a US$500 million contract from the US Army in 2009 to develop a Long Endurance Multi-intelligence Vehicle (LEMV), with deliveries occurring between 2009 and early 2013. Hybrid Air Vehicles was responsible for designing, developing, and manufacturing the HAV 304 for this project, while NGC managed prime contracting duties and sensor system integration.[3] On August 7, 2012, a successful ninety-minute flight test took place at Lakehurst, New Jersey.[4] However, the LEMV programme was cancelled in February 2013.[5]
Following this cancellation, Hybrid Air Vehicles reacquired the envelope and related components, repatriating them to the UK for transformation into the civilian Airlander 10.[6][7] The aircraft was publicly revealed at Cardington in 2014 and was recognised as the largest aircraft globally at that time.[7][8]
Among its investors is heavy metal vocalist and licensed pilot Bruce Dickinson, who announced intentions to undertake two nonstop circumnavigations of the globe aboard the airship.[9]
Aircraft
HAV-3
The HAV-3 was a remote-operated scale model measuring approximately 50 feet (15 m) in length, inspired by the SkyCat design.
Registered under the identifier G-OHAV (company serial HAV-3/001), it was constructed in 2008. Its maiden flight took place in September 2008 at Cardington Airfield.
The craft was decommissioned in 2010 after the awarding of the LEMV contract.
HAV-304 LEMV and Airlander 10
The HAV 304 was initially created for the US military's LEMV initiative.
After the LEMV project was discontinued, HAV reacquired the HAV 304, brought it back to the United Kingdom, and transformed it for commercial purposes as the Airlander 10. This airship measures 92 metres (302 ft) in length, 44 metres (144 ft) across its width, and stands 26 metres (85 ft) tall. On 24 August 2016, during its second test flight at Cardington airfield in Bedfordshire, the Airlander 10 landed nose-first, resulting in damage to the cockpit. Repairs were finalized by February of the following year, and flight testing resumed on 10 May 2017. However, on 18 November 2017, strong winds caused the airship to break free from its moorings and collapse to the ground. The vehicle was subsequently written off due to this damage.
Airlander 50
The Airlander 50 is envisioned as a larger transport vehicle capable of carrying payloads up to 50 tonnes.[10][11]
References
- ↑ The new vehicle set to revolutionise the skies, BBC, 4 January 2011
- ↑ "Jeffrey Roger Munk 1947–2010". Extract from a Royal Aeronautical Society post. Hybrid Air Vehicles. Retrieved 17 December 2011.
- ↑ "Huge new airships for US Army: designed in Blighty". The Register.
- ↑ Service, Army News. "First flight test successful for Army's Long Endurance Multi-Intelligence Vehicle air vehicle | Article". www.army.mil. Retrieved 30 March 2016.
- ↑ "US Army cancels LEMV airship project". www.gizmag.com. Retrieved 30 March 2016.
- ↑ "Army lets air out of battlefield spyship project". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 30 March 2016.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 Westcott, Richard (28 February 2014). "World's longest aircraft is unveiled in UK". BBC.
- ↑ Carter, Claire (28 February 2014). "World's largest aircraft unveiled and hailed 'game changer'". Daily Telegraph. Archived from the original on 28 February 2014. Retrieved 1 March 2014.
- ↑ Grover, Sami (20 March 2014), "Lead singer for Iron Maiden to pilot hybrid airship around the world", Mother Nature Network
- ↑ Carter, Claire (28 February 2014). "World's largest aircraft unveiled and hailed 'game changer'". www.telegraph.co.uk. Telegraph Media Group Limited. Retrieved 27 February 2014.
- ↑ Morrison, Murdo (4 March 2014), "IN FOCUS HAV's hybrid airship takes shape at Cardington", Flight International, flightglobal
External links
- Official website
- https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/aerospace/2017-11-20/british-hybrid-airship-suffers-second-serious-accident
- US Congress Budget Office Report on Military Airship programmes outlining plansTemplate:Deadlink
Template:Hybrid Air Vehicles Template:Aerospace industry in the United Kingdom