Back at the Farnborough International Airshow in 2022 we launched the Airlander 50 Development Partner Programme. Companies such as AECOM, Blue Skies Holdings, Infinergy, and Highlands and Islands Airports Limited, signed up influence, optimise and propel forward the design specification of the Airlander 50.
The end of the programme marks a valuable chapter in our journey of market exploration and future customer collaboration for Airlander 50. This programme wasn’t just a development phase; it served as a powerful market research tool that helped us understand the real needs and demands for future aircraft. Our partners’ insights have reinforced our vision for a large-scale, heavy-lift freight and logistics platform capable of handling the most demanding operations—think everything from carrying wind turbine blades to remote area supply drops. Rest assured, this is just the beginning of our dialogue with our future heavy freight and logistics customers as we move toward launching a new and exciting initiative.
What did we learn?
Aircraft size for evolving markets
One of the major findings from our programme was the demand for larger aircraft, particularly in response to the rapid growth of the wind energy sector. Larger aircraft than the Airlander 10, which are designed specifically for heavy-lift freight, are ideal for industries like renewable energy, which often require the transport of oversized and heavy components such as turbine blades. The forecast demand for these components and their forecast size have both increased significantly over just the past five years, pushing us to envision an aircraft capable of meeting these logistical challenges head-on with sufficient payload and size to meet that market. The future Airlander is being designed to support these growing needs, opening up new possibilities for industries that rely on moving large, complex cargo efficiently and sustainably.
Enhanced airfield performance and VTOL capabilities
Our partners also underscored the importance of airfield performance, with particular interest in Vertical Take-Off and Landing (VTOL) capabilities and hovering ability. These features are important for heavy-lift logistics applications in remote or challenging environments, where traditional airfields may not be available. We’re intending to explore ways to make VTOL a core capability in future Airlander models, bringing the flexibility to operate in isolated locations with limited infrastructure. By enhancing our airfield performance, we aim to support operations in places which fixed wing heavy-lift aircraft cannot reach.
Sustainable electric propulsion for the future
Electric propulsion is an area of strong demand, with our partners expressing a clear interest in zero-emissions aircraft that support long-term decarbonisation goals. A sustainable solution for large cargo transport is increasingly attractive, as organisations seek ways to reduce their carbon footprints without compromising on efficiency. To meet this demand, we’re collaborating with the U.S. Department of Defense to scale our electric architecture to support heavy-lift and extended-range operations. We’re committed to creating a future where our aircraft not only support freight and logistics but also align with global sustainability efforts.
Meeting critical range requirements
Range capability is another critical factor that emerged from the programme. Some partners emphasised the importance of aircraft with sufficient range to conduct point-to-point operations between continents, thus allowing disruption of existing shipping and road transport norms. We’ve heard and understood these requirements, and we’re committed to building future Airlander models that align with these range expectations, ensuring they’re up to the task for heavy-lift operations.
What’s next?
While the Airlander 50 Development Partner Programme may be ending, our work is far from over. We’re already planning the next steps with our potential customers and partners to ensure that future Airlander models are even better suited to the diverse needs of heavy-lift freight and logistics. Our commitment to creating a sustainable, capable, and efficient solution for the market remains firm, and you can expect more announcements soon.