<img src='https://news.cgtn.com/news/2024-09-15/China-delivers-homegrown-AS700-manned-airship-1wUD7otza4E/img/54669367fea947a9839744f309d2aae6/54669367fea947a9839744f309d2aae6.jpeg' alt='China's independently developed AS700 civil manned airship during a test flight, August 20, 2024. /CFP'
China’s first independently developed AS700 civil manned airship was delivered to Guangxi Guilin Ark General Aviation Co., Ltd. in Yangshuo County in Guilin, south China’s Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region on Saturday.
The Special Vehicle Research Institute under the Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC), the airship developer, delivered it. The airship will be used for aerial sightseeing in Yangshuo, known for its ink painting-like natural landscapes.
The AS700 seats 10 people, and has a maximum flight range of 700 kilometers and an endurance of 10 hours. Its designed maximum flight speed is 100 kilometers per hour, and its maximum flight altitude is 3,100 meters.
“Airships have always been in the dreams of the Chinese. Researchers and aviators have been dedicated to the study of airships. Now, we have the AS700, which is a modern airship with completely independent intellectual property rights,” said Zhou Lei, chief designer of the AS700.
Zhou said the vehicle is designed to be safe, with features including an envelope made of high-strength, multi-layer composite materials and multiple emergency measures.
“Notably, we have designed a thrust-vectored system which makes the airship realize short and vertical takeoff and landing. This technology is promising in terms of its use in flying cars and electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft in the future,” Zhou said.
Jin Tao, deputy head of the AVIC Special Vehicle Research Institute, said the AS700 airship represents the highest level of technology and development capability in the field of manned airships in China.
According to Jin, it is ideal for low-altitude sightseeing and well-suited for various low-altitude applications, including aerial advertising, urban security, aerial surveying and emergency rescue operations.
“Eyeing the vast skies of the low-altitude sector, we are exploring more innovative types of airships and application scenarios. Electric-powered airships, unmanned airships and other innovative models are in the planning phase,” Jin said.
(With input from Xinhua)
