Airship developer Hybrid Air Vehicles buoyed by launch of US subsidiary

https://www.flightglobal.com/aerospace/airship-developer-hybrid-air-vehicles-buoyed-by-launch-of-us-subsidiary/163746.article

Paris Air Show 2025 Day Three

Key Points Summary

• Event Overview: The third day of the Paris Air Show 2025 saw a decrease in visitor numbers but still featured significant announcements and displays.
• Safran's T-REX Engine: Safran unveiled the M88 T-REX engine for Dassault's Rafale F5 models, boasting a 20% increase in thrust and several technological upgrades.
• Embraer's Major Orders: Embraer secured a large order from SkyWest Airlines for 60 E175 aircraft, along with additional orders for E195-E2 jets and E190 P2F conversions.
• Lithuania Chooses C-390: Lithuania's Ministry of National Defence selected the Embraer C-390 Millennium as its next-generation military transport aircraft.
• EHang Production Expansion: EHang announced it is producing 600 eVTOL vehicles annually, with plans for international expansion and a focus on civil applications.
• CAE's Training Insights: CAE discussed the future of fighter pilot training, predicting that nearly all training for next-gen fighters will be synthetic rather than live.
• Astroscale's Debris Removal Mission: Astroscale presented its plans for active debris removal in space, focusing on sustainable operations and satellite servicing.
• Dassault's VORTEX Spaceplane: Dassault unveiled its VORTEX reusable spaceplane, aimed at providing Europe with sovereign access to space and potential military applications.
• ENGHE Partnership: Safran, MTU Aero Engines, and Avio Aero announced a collaboration to develop a new European helicopter engine, focusing on efficiency and compatibility with sustainable aviation fuel.
• Airbus and Leonardo's NH90 Study: Airbus and Leonardo are conducting a study for the NH90 Block 2 upgrade, aiming to enhance the helicopter's capabilities.
• VoltAero's Cassio 330 Order: VoltAero signed an agreement to provide 15 Cassio 330 hybrid-electric aircraft to Malaysia for pilot training.
• Eurofighter Production Increase: Eurofighter announced plans to increase production rates in response to rising demand for military aircraft in Europe.
• ATR's Market Forecast: ATR projected a need for 2,100 new turboprop passenger aircraft and 500 freighters over the next 20 years, emphasizing fleet modernization.
• Saab's GlobalEye Interest: France's DGA expressed interest in procuring Saab's GlobalEye AEW&C aircraft to enhance its airborne early warning capabilities.
• Twin Otter Order for Guatemala: The USAF facilitated the acquisition of Twin Otter Classic 300-G aircraft for the Guatemalan Air Force to support humanitarian missions.
• ESA's Activities: The European Space Agency showcased various initiatives, including partnerships for space exploration and advancements in satellite technology.
• Daher and Thales MALE Drone: Daher and Thales were selected to develop a medium-altitude long-endurance drone demonstrator for France's defense needs.
• Singapore's HTeaming Agreement: Singapore's Defence Science and Technology Agency signed an agreement with Airbus to explore crewed-uncrewed teaming capabilities.
• Aura Aero's ERA Power Source: Aura Aero announced the selection of Safran turbogenerators to power its Electric Regional Aircraft (ERA).
• Babcock's Global Trainer Proposal: Babcock called for a new global trainer aircraft to fulfill multiple roles in military training.
• Eve Air Mobility LOI: Eve Air Mobility signed a Letter of Intent for up to 54 eVTOLs to be used in Brazil and the US.
• Hynaero's Frégate Airship: Hynaero is seeking a factory location to build its Frégate firefighting airship, aiming for its first flight in 2029.
• TAGINE Hybrid-Electric Project: A new French consortium, led by Daher, aims to develop a hybrid-electric propulsion architecture for light aircraft.
• Airbus and MTU Hydrogen Collaboration: Airbus and MTU Aero Engines announced a partnership to explore hydrogen fuel cell technology for future aircraft.
• Pilatus' Humanoid Robots: Pilatus is trialing humanoid robots from Hexagon to address labor shortages in aerospace manufacturing.
• Bell 525 Certification Delay: Bell Textron indicated that certification for the Bell 525 Relentless helicopter may be delayed until 2026.
• Greenerwave's SATCOM Contract: Greenerwave received a contract to enhance military connectivity for the French Armed Forces using innovative SATCOM technology.

Summary

The third day of the Paris Air Show 2025 featured a range of significant announcements and developments in the aerospace industry. Safran introduced its upgraded T-REX engine for the Rafale, while Embraer secured major orders for its E175 and E195-E2 aircraft. Lithuania selected the C-390 Millennium for its military transport needs, and EHang announced plans to expand its production of eVTOL vehicles. CAE discussed the future of fighter pilot training, emphasizing synthetic methods, and Astroscale presented its debris removal mission for sustainable space operations. Other highlights included the unveiling of Dassault's VORTEX spaceplane, a new European helicopter engine partnership, and various advancements in hybrid-electric technology. The day underscored the industry's focus on innovation, sustainability, and collaboration amidst evolving global demands.

Read full text:

https://www.aerosociety.com/news/paris-air-show-2025-day-three/

AT2 Aerospace has taken control of Lockheed Martin’s Hybrid Airship project

https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/aerospace/2023-06-18/lockheed-martins-airship-goes-private 

Hybrid airship enters the transfer portal

Lockheed Martin, a global aerospace and defense company, has recently announced that it has successfully transitioned the hybrid airship intellectual property (IP) and related assets to AT2 Aerospace. This newly-formed commercial company is based in Santa Clarita, California and will be responsible for continuing the development of hybrid airships for commercial and humanitarian applications glo…

 https://www.spacedaily.com/reports/Hybrid_airship_enters_the_transfer_portal_999.html 

Collins Produces First Prototype Motor for Airlander 10

Collins Aerospace has produced the first working prototype of a 500-kW electric motor suitable for powering the Hybrid Air Vehicles (HAV) Airlander 10 helium-buoyed hybrid airship. Collins also has begun basic characterization testing of the motor at the University of Nottingham.

https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/air-transport/2022-07-20/collins-produces-first-prototype-motor-airlander-10 

Airlander: Hybrid Airship Floats New Funding

https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/aerospace/2020-08-18/hybrid-airship-floats-new-funding 

Planned hybrid airship will combine aspects of planes, blimps and helicopters

https://newatlas.com/plimp-model-j-airship/57154/

It was just last year that we heard about the Plimp, a sort of plane/blimp/helicopter hybrid drone manufactured by Egan Airships. As was hinted at then, the Seattle-based company has now officially announced that it's working on a passenger-carrying variant known as the Model J.

.. Continue Reading Planned hybrid airship will combine aspects of planes, blimps and helicopters

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Manned Electric Aircraft Market 2017-2027 & 2031: Hybrid & Pure Electric Technology Roadmap, Market Forecasts, Companies, Models, MEA

Dublin, April 06, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Research and Markets has announced the addition of the "Manned Electric Aircraft 2017-2027 Hybrid & Pure Electric Technology Roadmap, Market Forecasts, Companies, Models, MEA" report to their offering.

The coverage in the report includes 2017-2027 forecasts of low and high priced electric aircraft sales by number, unit price and market value and a view of figures up to 2031 including assessments by several leading players. The subject matter includes looking at how electric aircraft have largely followed electric land and water vehicles. Pure electric small ones appeared first, about 50 years after the first electric boats and cars. Hybrid ones are needed for the longer distances and tougher duty cycles and only now are these getting serious investment.

The report finds that the delays are only partly explained by the tougher demands and regulatory requirements of aircraft and how things are now changing with much larger commitments. In 2016, Siemens and Airbus agreed to pool 200 engineers to work on them, the level of effort Toyota allotted to hybrid cars twenty years earlier, with major commercial success resulting today. Toyota enjoys well over $20 billion dollars of sales of electric cars, buses and forklifts with Honda and BMW successful too - interesting because all three are now tackling aircraft. Indeed, Google and Facebook are involved in electric cars and aircraft and Apple is interested so it is wake up time. The report analyses the opportunities in new aircraft and their changing key components.


This report of over 190 slide format pages is replete with new forecasts, analysis and infographics seeing the future. The key parts of recent presentations by all the key players are embedded in this work, almost entirely researched in 2016 and early 2017 by award winning PhD level analysts travelling worldwide. Interviews, analyst databases, web searches and conference attendance were extensively used. Old information is useless in this now fast moving field.


Key Topics Covered:

1. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY AND CONCLUSIONS
1.1. Unique approach of this report
1.2. Some important findings
1.3. Why go electric for manned aircraft?
1.4. How to transition to electric aircraft: MEA, hybrid, pure electric
1.4.1. Airbus Vahana flying car announcement 2017
1.5. MEA issues and opportunities
1.6. Where electric aircraft are headed: range anxiety to range superiority
1.7. Manned aircraft lagged land-based electric vehicles
1.7.1. Great achievements
1.7.2. Little business
1.7.3. Hybrids should have been first
1.7.4. Hybrids: running before you can walk
1.8. Trend to larger electric aircraft
1.8.1. Overview of major issues
1.8.2. Viability of pure electric larger aircraft: timeline
1.9. Electrification of aircraft in general: rapid progress
1.10. Electric aircraft already commercialised
1.10.1. Examples
1.10.2. Viability of electric primary trainers already
1.11. Routes to further commercialisation of electric aircraft
1.12. Pure electric manned aircraft arriving
1.13. Hybrid electric aircraft arriving
1.13.1. HYPSTAIR powertrain for general aviation
1.13.2. Hybrid electric helicopters, multicopters
1.13.3. Airbus eThrust concept with DEP
1.13.4. NASA Sceptor concept with DEP
1.14. Flying cars: needed or possible?
1.14.1. Flying cars using airports
1.14.2. Only single seat is viable?
1.14.3. Combatting urban gridlock: better alternatives
1.14.4. Hybrid VTOL flying car feasibility
1.14.5. Elon Musk, Larry Page and Nikhil Goel
1.15. Choice of powertrains is influenced by many factors
1.16. New end game: Energy Independent Vehicles EIV
1.17. Key enabling technologies in future: examples
1.17.1. Energy harvesting including regeneration
1.17.2. Structural electronics tears up the rule book
1.17.3. Power electronics and other key enablers
1.18. Less mechanics: more electronics
1.19. Becoming one business land, water, air - hybrid and pure electric
1.20. Regulations have impeded small e-aircraft in the USA
1.21. Ambition and freedom in Europe
1.22. Progress in East Asia
1.22.1. China
1.22.2. Japan
1.23. Market forecasts
1.23.1. Timelines 2016-2031: Airbus, Rolls Royce, others
1.23.2. Rolls Royce timeline
1.23.3. MEA target and roadmaps converge to EV for 2035
1.23.4. Manned electric aircraft and airliner forecasts
1.23.5. Manned electric aircraft market forecasts 2016-2026 including hybrid

2. INTRODUCTION
2.1. Lessons from the past
2.2. Situation today
2.3. Other examples: trend to offering several powertrain options in one airframe
2.4. First commercial four seat hybrid
2.5. Contest in 2015: new battery and fuel cell planes
2.6. DLR project for HY4 four-passenger fuel cell aircraft
2.7. New Airbus autonomous aircraft November 2016
2.8. Zero-emission air transport - first flight of four-seat passenger aircraft HY4 - September 2016
2.9. The first electric and VTOL aircraft by Zee.Aero - October 2016
2.10. Hamilton aerobatic aircraft
2.11. Airbus flying car prototype ready by the end of 2017

3. TYPES OF POWERTRAIN
3.1. What is an electric powertrain?
3.2. Pure electric or hybrid
3.2.1. Example: PC Aero Elektra One
3.2.2. Examples: E-Genius, SUGAR Volt
3.3. Types of hybrid electric aircraft
3.3.1. Parallel hybrid
3.3.2. Series hybrid
3.4. Typical hybrid duty cycle and examples
3.4.1. Duty cycle
3.4.2. Cambridge University Song hybrid
3.4.3. Equator P2 Xcursion amphibious aircraft
3.4.4. Biofuel solar hybrid
3.4.5. DARPA VTOL
3.5. Airbus overview of hybrid electric aircraft
3.6. Mild vs strong hybrid: lessons from land vehicles
3.7. EV powertrains and technology forecasts: 2000
3.8. EV powertrains and technology forecasts: 2016
3.9. EV powertrains and technology forecasts: 2017 onwards
3.10. Energy independent electric vehicles EIV operational choices
3.11. Key EIV technologies
3.12. Motors and motor generators
3.12.1. Trend to higher power to weight ratio
3.12.2. Technologies in context of all EVs
3.12.3. Electrical engine start for hybrid electric aircraft
3.12.4. Integrated components - in-wheel
3.12.5. Multimotor designs
3.12.6. Superconducting propulsors and interconnects
3.13. Range extenders
3.13.1. Overview
3.13.2. Gas turbines and rotary combustion engines
3.13.3. Fuel cells

4. ENERGY STORAGE
4.1. Options
4.2. The role of energy storage technologies in electric vehicles
4.3. Making lithium-ion batteries safer
4.4. Operational Principles of Different Systems
4.5. Supercapacitors to Li-ion batteries - a spectrum of functional tailoring
4.6. Matching future hybrid and pure electric aircraft to energy storage choices. Learning from other industries
4.6.1. Map of energy storage choices 2026-2036
4.7. Supercapacitors across lithium-ion batteries
4.8. Extreme lightweighting by structural electronics
4.8.1. Earlier attempts at structural fuel; cells, batteries and capacitors
4.8.2. Successful supercapacitor bodywork
4.8.3. Many other types of structural electronics for aircraft

5. ENERGY HARVESTING AND REGENERATION
5.1. Definitions and background
5.2. Faradair BEHA

6. ENERGY INDEPENDENT VEHICLES EIV
6.1. Energy independent electric vehicles
6.1.1. Why we want more than mechanical energy independence
6.1.2. The EIV powertrain
6.1.3. EIV operational choices
6.1.4. Turtle airship USA
6.1.5. Solar Impulse Switzerland
6.1.6. Solar Ship inflatable fixed wing aircraft Canada
6.1.7. Sunstar USA
6.1.8. Sunseeker Duo USA
6.1.9. The More Electric Aircraft MEA
6.2. Not there yet for large hybrids
6.3. Power electronics in conventional aircraft
6.4. Airliner becomes an electric vehicle when on the ground
6.5. Great potential to improve rotating electrical machines and power electronics
6.6. Future design space: NASA view

7. CAFE TENTH ELECTRIC AIRCRAFT SYMPOSIUM REPORT 2016

For more information about this report visit http://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/zkkfk6/manned_electric

Rethinking Air Power: How Hybrid Airships Haul More Than Hot Air

A blimp. A Zeppelin. A dirigible. All are variations of airships, but what if it was as tall as an eight-story building, had a cargo ramp and door similar to a C-5 Galaxy and hauling capacity of a C-130 Hercules? What if this vehicle could carry a crew, land on any surface and provide access to remote locations around the world that until now were virtually inaccessible? Then you’re talking about a next generation airship. Read More: http://lockheedmartin.com/us/news/features/2016/C1HybridAirshipACLS.html

Hybrid airship operator forms alliance with Alaska logistics firm [feedly]

Hybrid airship operator forms alliance with Alaska logistics firm

http://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/hybrid-airship-operator-forms-alliance-with-alaska-l-428908/








A UK-based hybrid airship operator has teamed up with an Arctic logistics specialist to start operating the 85m (280ft)-long Lockheed Martin LMH-1 in 2019 to remote sites in Alaska and northern Canada.

Airlander 10: World’s largest aircraft crash lands second flight

Airlander 10's second test flight, which took place this morning, ended with the giant airship nosediving into the ground. The cockpit was damaged, but Hybrid Air Vehicles says the crew are "safe and well."

HAV told Ars that the flight lasted for 100 minutes and that it "completed all the planned tasks." HAV said the incident was not an unplanned dealtitudinal craft-terrafirma conflict, but rather "a heavy landing" as the craft returned to Cardington Airfield. Full article in:
http://arstechnica.co.uk/business/2016/08/airlander-10-largest-aircraft-airship-details-test-flight/

OPINION: Can Airlander revive the airship's prospects? [feedly]

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OPINION: Can Airlander revive the airship's prospects?
// Flight Global HEADLINES

At Flight International we salute innovation. And Hybrid Air Vehicles, the start-up behind the Airlander 10 which has re-emerged from its hangar after returning to the UK in 2013 has it in spades.
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SkunkWorks’ Spider-Robots Will Inspect LMH-1 Airship Envelope

http://aviationweek.com/technology/skunkworks-robots-will-inspect-lmh-1-airship-envelope?NL=AW-05&Issue=AW-05_20160803_AW-05_628&sfvc4enews=42&cl=article_1&utm_rid=CPEN1000002242919&utm_campaign=6607&utm_medium=email&elq2=3def022a66594373ae1cb27dccb477ae


With about 80,000 ft² of envelope to inspect during assembly and maintenance,Lockheed Martin's Skunk Works has developed a robot to scour the hull of its LMH-1 commercial heavy-lift hybrid airship for helium-leaking pinholes in the Vectran fiber.

Manual inspection of an airship hull requires crews working outside and inside the deflated envelope. The Skunk Works' autonomous Spider (Self-Propelled Instrument for Damage Evaluation and Repair) has inner and outer halves that magnetically couple through the airship envelope and traverse the inflated hull together.

Hybrid Airship REVOLUTIONIZING REMOTE TRANSPORTATION

Hybrid Airships make it possible to affordably deliver heavy cargo and personnel to remote locations around the world. Burning less than one tenth the fuel of a helicopter per ton, the Hybrid Airship will redefine sustainability for the future. full text: http://www.lockheedmartin.com/us/products/HybridAirship.html

Regulatory clearance – and rebrand – ahead of Airlander 10's flight return [feedly]

Regulatory clearance – and rebrand – ahead of Airlander 10's flight return
http://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/regulatory-clearance-and-rebrand-ahead-of-airlan-424105/

Hybrid Air Vehicles (HAV) has received the necessary European and national approvals to return its Airlander 10 airship now named Martha Gwyn to flight.

Hybrid Enterprises Receives First Customer’s Letter of Intent to Purchase Lockheed Martin Airships [feedly]

Hybrid Enterprises Receives First Customer's Letter of Intent  to Purchase Lockheed Martin Airships
http://www.lockheedmartin.com/us/news/press-releases/2016/march/hybrid-enterprises-receives-first-customers-letter-of-intent-to-purchase-lockheed-martin-airships.html

The Hybrid Airship provides affordable and safe delivery of cargo and personnel to virtually anywhere –water or land. Hybrids were designed to enable a more sustainable future.

Lockheed Martin Hybrid Airship Certification Plan for Commercial Transport Approved by the FAA

http://www.lockheedmartin.com/us/news/press-releases/2015/november/lockheed-martin-hybrid-airship-certification-plan-for-commercial-transport-approved-by-the-faa.html

Lockheed Martin Launches Worldwide Hybrid Airship Sales With Hybrid Enterprises [feedly]

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Lockheed Martin Launches Worldwide Hybrid Airship Sales With Hybrid Enterprises
// News Releases

PARIS, France, June 16, 2015 – Hybrid Enterprises LLC, acting on behalf of Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT), announced they will be taking orders for Hybrid Airships with deliveries planned as early as 2018.
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PARIS: Lockheed introduces new hybrid airship design [feedly]

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PARIS: Lockheed introduces new hybrid airship design
// Aircraft news

​Lockheed Martin has introduced the new LMH1 hybrid airship, a commercialised variant of its half-sized P-791 demonstrator that it first flew in 2006.
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Airlander receives environmentally-friendly transport funding [feedly]

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Airlander receives environmentally-friendly transport funding
// Aircraft news

​Furthering its campaign to raise the required funds to bring its Airlander 10 airship to flight, Hybrid Air Vehicles (HAV) has received a €2.5 million ($2.7 million) EU grant that is awarded to environmentally-friendly transport projects.
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