The world's biggest aircraft could begin transporting passengers in 4 years - see what it might be like aboard 'The Flying Bum'

The world's largest aircraft Airlander 10 just got bigger - check out the 'The Flying Bum'

<img src="https://static-ssl.businessinsider.com/image/5e30933d62fa811df6767654-1778/airlander 10.jpg" alt="Airlander 10" /><ul class="summary-list"><li>The Airlander 10 - a hybrid aircraft vehicle with multiple uses - was first announced as the world's longest aircraft, and its <a href="https://www.hybridairvehicles.com/news-and-media/overview/insights/a-closer-look-at-the-updated-airlander-10-design/">recent update on January 23</a> has made it even longer.</li><li>The full-length interior will be 320 feet long, making it about 5% longer than its previous 302-foot design, <a href="https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-beds-bucks-herts-51032891">BBC reported.</a></li><li>The aircraft has been nicknamed the "<a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/inside-the-worlds-largest-aircraft-airlander-10-wealthy-travelers-on-luxury-3-day-expeditions-2018-7">The Flying Bum</a>" due to its appearance.</li><li><a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/?hprecirc-bullet">Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories</a>.</li></ul><p>The Airlander 10 - a hybrid aircraft vehicle with multiple uses - was first announced by its maker Hybrid Air Vehicles as the world's longest aircraft, and its <a href="https://www.hybridairvehicles.com/news-and-media/overview/insights/a-closer-look-at-the-updated-airlander-10-design/">recent update on January 23</a> has made it even longer.</p><p>The new production design changes in the announcement that included its new length - increased by 5% - shows improvements in multiple areas of the aircraft, including an increase in its efficiency and functionality, according to its maker.</p><p>The company is also currently working on creating electric propulsion capabilities with Collins Aerospace and the University of Nottingham with the hopes that future iterations of Airlander 10, which is projected to be hybrid-electric, will emit 90% fewer emissions.</p><p>Airlander 10's maker claims it has "minimal" infrastructure needs and is relatively quiet. It has a 10-ton maximum payload and can be in the air for five days with a maximum range of 4,000 nautical miles, about 4,603 miles. It can also soar to 20,000 feet maximum.</p><p>However, the payload, flight duration, and range numbers all change per aircraft built depending on the intention of its use.</p><p>Airlander 10 has multiple potential applications: defense and security, logistics, luxury travel, maritime and coast guards, and transportation for private clients, according to its maker, and these uses can all be achieved with different interiors and accessories. For example, there are facilities for crew members if the Airlander 10 is being used for maritime and coastguard purposes, and its maker claims it can be used for defense and security because it has on-board sensors that can be used to gather data.</p><p>The initial idea for The Flying Bum was announced several years ago, but the new production version was just <a href="https://www.hybridairvehicles.com/news-and-media/overview/news/new-aircraft-shape-revealed/">revealed on January 11</a>.</p><p>Keep scrolling to see what changes were made and how they will improve the aircraft:</p>

<ul class="summary-list"><li>A sister airline of <keyword id="12002037" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="british-airways" source="Orion">British Airways</keyword> struck a deal to buy 10 helium <keyword id="14205870" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="airships" source="Orion">airships</keyword>.</li><li> Air Nostrum signed the deal with a British company called Hybrid Air Vehicles.</li></ul><p>Passengers in <keyword id="11910350" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="spain" source="Orion">Spain</keyword> could soon be boarding airships instead of jets for short-haul flights.</p><p>Air Nostrum, an airline owned by the same company as British Airways, ordered 10 helium airships to be used for regional travel.</p><p>It is the first order for the Airlander airships that will be made by Hybrid Air Vehicles, a British company part-backed by Iron Maiden frontman and qualified commercial pilot Bruce Dickinson.</p><p>Production of the 100-seat Airlander 10, which can spend up to five days aloft, is due to start in northern England later this year. </p><p>The airships could start flying passengers on routes such as Barcelona to the Mediterranean island of Mallorca as soon as 2026.</p><p>The deal is estimated to be worth more than $600 million, <a href="https://www.telegraph.co.uk/business/2022/06/15/helium-airships-fly-across-spain-british-maker-lands-breakthrough/">The Telegraph newspaper reported,</a> citing internal sources.</p><p>The Airlander 10 has a helium-filled hull and uses combustion engines that burn jet fuel, but the company said it planned to switch to electric engines to reduce carbon emissions by 2030.</p><p>Trips on the airships would be considerably slower than on passenger jets, but be much greener. </p><p>Air Nostrum's president, Carlos Bertomeu, said the deal was struck on the basis that the airships would "drastically reduce emissions."</p><p>Planes have been slower to become electrified than cars. One of the reasons is that the <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/electric-planes-future-of-aviation-problems-regulations-2020-3?r=US&amp;IR=T">technology to create powerful batteries needed to get planes airborne is not as developed. </a></p><p>A prototype of the Airlander has flown on six test flights, but it crashed in 2016 on its second outing and two people were hurt when it broke free from its moorings the following year.<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2016/aug/24/worlds-biggest-aircraft-crashes-bedfordshire-airlander-10" title=""></a></p><p>However, its design has been approved by European regulators.</p>

Helium-filled airships to carry passengers as soon as 2026 in $600 million deal with British Airways' sister airline

<p><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image on-image"><img src="https://static-ssl.businessinsider.com/image/5b56fc9b85c74f39008b45f1-1428/rtx2llad.jpg" border="0" alt="The Airlander 10 hybrid airship makes its maiden flight at Cardington Airfield in Britain, August 17, 2016. REUTERS/Darren Staples" data-mce-source="REUTERS / Darren Staples" data-mce-caption="The Airlander 10 hybrid airship makes its maiden flight at Cardington Airfield in Britain, August 17, 2016. REUTERS/Darren Staples" /><p class="source"><span>REUTERS / Darren Staples</span></p><p class="caption">The Airlander 10 hybrid airship.</p></div><p></p></div></div></p><ul><li><strong>The world's largest aircraft has revealed its interiors - and they're extremely luxurious.</strong></li><li><strong>Airlander 10 is a 300-foot hybrid airship that plans to take </strong><strong>travelers on three-day excursions.</strong></li><li><strong>The airship features en-suite bedrooms, a bar, and a lounge area.</strong></li><li><strong>There's also glass flooring so people can take in the views from 16,000 feet.</strong></li></ul><hr /><p><br />Is it a bird? Is it a plane? No, it's a hybrid airship!</p><p>The world's largest aircraft unveiled plans for its interiors at Farnborough Airshow last week - and they look stunning.</p><p><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image on-image"><img src="https://static-ssl.businessinsider.com/image/5b57052fa4852b22008b45f0-1598/416original.jpg" border="0" alt="Airlander 10 hybrid airship interior" data-mce-source="Hybrid Air Vehicles / Design Q" /><p class="source"><span>Hybrid Air Vehicles / Design Q</span></p></div><p></p></div></div></p><p>Nicknamed "The Flying Bum" because of its posterior-shaped hull, Airlander 10 is part-plane, part-airship, part-helicopter, built by <a href="https://www.hybridairvehicles.com/aircraft/airlander-10">Hybrid Air Vehicles</a> (HAV). The <a href="http://uk.businessinsider.com/the-worlds-largest-aircraft-has-completed-its-first-ever-flight-2016-8">£25 million</a> ($33 million) aircraft is 302 feet long, making it about 60 feet longer than the world's largest passenger plane, the Airbus A380, <a href="http://www.airbus.com/aircraftfamilies/passengeraircraft/a380family/specifications/">which spans nearly 240 feet</a>.</p><p>HAV plans to take up to 19 passengers on three-day excursions on the Airlander 10, and it looks like they're in for a treat on board.</p><p>The interiors were developed in collaboration with Design Q, a UK-based design consultancy.</p><p>Airlander 10 features luxurious en-suite bedrooms, an "Altitude Bar," and a spacious lounge area.</p><p><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image on-image"><img src="https://static-ssl.businessinsider.com/image/5b57051b67627a35008b45e5-1600/414original.jpg" border="0" alt="Airlander 10 hybrid airship interior" style="color: #000000;" data-mce-source="Hybrid Air Vehicles / Design Q" /><p class="source"><span>Hybrid Air Vehicles / Design Q</span></p></div><p></p></div></div></p><p>The most exciting feature of the interior design is the glass flooring, which will allow passengers to take in the horizon-to-horizon views from 16,000 feet.</p><p><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image on-image"><img src="https://static-ssl.businessinsider.com/image/5b57053f3b49fc2a008b4626-1598/412original.jpg" border="0" alt="Airlander 10 hybrid airship interior" data-mce-source="Hybrid Air Vehicles / Design Q" /><p class="source"><span>Hybrid Air Vehicles / Design Q</span></p></div><p></p></div></div></p><p>Though it may be bigger than the A380, it's certainly not as fast - the Airlander's top speed is just 91 mph compared to the A380's cruising speed of 560 mph.</p><p>The Airlander is not about getting to places quickly, though. The luxury aircraft is instead designed to revive the joy of flight as an experience rather than a means of transport.</p><p><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image on-image"><img src="https://static-ssl.businessinsider.com/image/5b5705059b191a30008b465f-1598/417original.jpg" border="0" alt="Airlander 10 hybrid airship interior" data-mce-source="Hybrid Air Vehicles / Design Q" /><p class="source"><span>Hybrid Air Vehicles / Design Q</span></p></div><p></p></div></div></p><p>Stephen McGlennan, CEO of HAV, said in a press release: "Airlander challenges people to rethink the skies - that's the driving force behind everything we do.</p><p>"Air <keyword id="6354692" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="Travel">travel</keyword> has become very much about getting from A to B as quickly as possible. What we're offering is a way of making the journey a joy."</p><p>However, it's not always been plain sailing for the world's largest aircraft.</p><p>In 2016, the giant airship <a href="http://uk.businessinsider.com/r-worlds-longest-airship-crashes-in-england-on-test-flight-media-reports-2016-8">crashed into a telegraph pole</a> and nosedived on its second test flight.</p><p>In 2017, Airlander 10 <a href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-beds-bucks-herts-42037832">collapsed before take-off</a> less than 24-hours after a successful test flight. Two people suffered minor injuries.</p><p><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image on-image"><img src="https://static-ssl.businessinsider.com/image/5b57092575f0501e008b4634-960/rts1klyy.jpg" border="0" alt="Part of the collapsed airship Airlander 10 is seen in Bedfordshire, Britain November 18, 2017 in this picture obtained from social media." data-mce-source="Rob Fletcher / via REUTERS" data-mce-caption="Part of the collapsed airship Airlander 10 is seen in Bedfordshire, Britain November 18, 2017 in this picture obtained from social media." /><p class="source"><span>Rob Fletcher / via REUTERS</span></p><p class="caption">Part of the collapsed airship Airlander 10 is seen in Bedfordshire, Britain November 18, 2017 in this picture obtained from social media.</p></div><p></p></div></div></p><p>The giant airship has now completed six successful test flights, but it will need to complete a total of 200 incident-free hours in the sky before it is allowed to take on commercial passengers.</p><p>We can wait.</p><p class="tagline">Get the latest Boeing stock price <a href="http://markets.businessinsider.com/stock/BA-Quote">here.</a></p>    <div class="margin-top">        <h3>NOW WATCH: <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/monowheel-giant-motorized-wheel-sit-inside-engine-tire-2018-6">This giant wheel lets you ride inside it - here's how it works</a></h3>        <div>            <iframe class="bijwplayerclass" data-player="jwplayer" src="https://content.jwplatform.com/players/ce7qqesa-CEZHWCBG.html" width="100%" height="100%" frameborder="0" scrolling="auto" style="margin:0px;" allowfullscreen=""></iframe><script>function receiveMessage(event){ console.log(event.data.fullscreen); Android.fullscreen(event.data.fullscreen); }window.addEventListener("message", receiveMessage, false);</script>        </div>    </div>

Inside the world's largest aircraft, which is set to have glass floors and take wealthy travellers on luxury 3-day expeditions

<p><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table float_right"><div><div class="image on-image"><img src="https://static-ssl.businessinsider.com/image/579134dd88e4a7b32e8b9cb5-1240/screen shot 2016-07-21 at 4.45.58 pm.png" alt="Armed Scorpion Jet from Textron AirLand" data-mce-source="Courtesy of Textron AirLand" data-mce-caption="Textron AirLand's armed Scorpion" data-link="http://www.scorpionjet.com/gallery/armed-scorpion-jet/" /><p class="source"><span><a href="http://www.scorpionjet.com/gallery/armed-scorpion-jet/">Courtesy of Textron AirLand</a></span></p><p class="caption">Textron AirLand's armed Scorpion</p></div><p></p></div></div>Years after initial development, Lockheed Martin's <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/the-new-f-35-will-reinvent-aerial-combat-2016-7" target="_blank">F-35 Lightning II</a> finally seems like it's well on its way to enter the US's fleet of fighter jets. That doesn't necessarily mean, however, that the DoD isn't seeking alternative jets to supplement their squadrons.</p><p>According to <a href="http://www.defensenews.com/story/defense/air-space/2016/07/21/air-force-scorpion-textron-foreign-military-commerical-sales-international-airworthiness-certify/87382706/" target="_blank">Defense News</a>, the US Air Force announced that it would begin testing aircraft that were not currently planned to be in its inventory. After signing a Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA) with <a href="http://www.scorpionjet.com/" target="_blank">Textron AirLand</a>, the Air Force will begin a series of tests to determine if Textron AirLand's flagship jet, dubbed "Scorpion", will be airworthy.</p><p>"This is the first of its kind, we have not done a CRADA like this before and we have never had a partnership with industry to assess aircraft that are not under a USAF acquisition contract," an Air Force representative explained in a statement from <a href="http://www.defensenews.com/story/defense/air-space/2016/07/21/air-force-scorpion-textron-foreign-military-commerical-sales-international-airworthiness-certify/87382706/" target="_blank">Defense News</a>.</p><p>The Scorpion is a different beast compared to the other jets around the globe. Starting with its cost, Textron AirLand's President Bill Anderson explained in a <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7TKcRSsc_KM" target="_blank">Bloomberg</a> video, "The Scorpion ... was designed to be very effective and very affordable."</p><p><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image on-image"><img src="https://static-ssl.businessinsider.com/image/5791367d88e4a7d9068b9deb-1021/screen shot 2016-07-21 at 4.53.31 pm.png" alt="Textron AirLand Scorpion" data-mce-source="Courtesy of Textron AirLand" data-link="http://www.scorpionjet.com/gallery/scorpion-build-5/" /><p class="source"><span><a href="http://www.scorpionjet.com/gallery/scorpion-build-5/">Courtesy of Textron AirLand</a></span></p></div><p></p></div></div></p><p>"The goal was to create a very mission-relevant aircraft for today's security environment that's below $20 million in acquisition costs, and below $3,000 an hour to operate."</p><p>By comparison, a Predator unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/chart-shows-hourly-cost-of-military-aircraft-2014-12" target="_blank">costs</a> about $13 million and $1,500 per hour to operate, while the conventional F-35A costs $98 million <a href="https://www.f35.com/about/fast-facts/cost" target="_blank">per unit</a> and <a href="https://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/f-35a-cost-and-readiness-data-improves-in-2015-as-fl-421499/" target="_blank">$42,200 an hour</a> in 2015.</p><p>The Scorpion features a <a href="http://www.scorpionjet.com/files/TAL-2014-OVERVIEW-LITHO.pdf" target="_blank">tandem cockpit</a> and a <a href="http://www.scorpionjet.com/files/TAL-2014-OVERVIEW-LITHO.pdf" target="_blank">composite airframe</a> in order to keep its weight and costs down. In addition to its twin turbofan engines that are able to achieve a <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7TKcRSsc_KM" target="_blank">flight speed</a> up to 517 mph, it houses an internal <a href="http://www.scorpionjet.com/files/TAL-2014-OVERVIEW-LITHO.pdf" target="_blank">payload bay</a> that's capable of holding 3,000 pounds.</p><p>"It's quite maneuverable," <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L-Aew4VNNVQ" target="_blank">explained</a> Scorpion test pilot Andy Vaughan. "It reminds me of my days when I used to fly the A-10 in the US Air Force."</p><p><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image on-image"><img src="https://static-ssl.businessinsider.com/image/579135964321f1d01a8b9f44-2400/tal-hero-hgp_5542.jpg" alt="First Flight Anniversary of Textron AirLand's Scorpion" data-mce-source="Courtesy of Textron AirLand" data-link="http://www.scorpionjet.com/gallery/scorpion-jet-first-flight-anniversary/" /><p class="source"><span><a href="http://www.scorpionjet.com/gallery/scorpion-jet-first-flight-anniversary/">Courtesy of Textron AirLand</a></span></p></div><p></p></div></div></p><p>From start to finish, the construction of the Scorpion was kept <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7TKcRSsc_KM" target="_blank">secret</a> to maintain a competitive advantage. Nevertheless, the secret wasn't kept very long - Textron AirLand was able to conduct testing soon after the aircraft's conception.</p><p>"In a classic DoD acquisition program, they can spend up to 10 years just developing and fielding an aircraft - and we've done it in less than 2," Anderson said.</p><p>However, it's still too early to determine whether this move by the Air Force will also move the sale of Scorpion units both in the US and abroad - according to <a href="http://www.defensenews.com/story/defense/air-space/2016/07/21/air-force-scorpion-textron-foreign-military-commerical-sales-international-airworthiness-certify/87382706/" target="_blank">Defense News</a>, the program has attracted only one potential customer.</p>    <div class="margin-top">        <h3>NOW WATCH: <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/f-35b-fighter-jet-hovers-lands-vertically-2016-7">Watch newly released footage of the F-35B taking off, hovering, and landing vertically</a></h3>        <div>            <div>    <script src="http://player.ooyala.com/v3/6e12e8b3387a44daacfb73afba25a76e"></script>    <div class="ooyala-video-player" data-video-autoplay="false" data-video-id="I3MWVvNDE6kk5Ov1lc2ZDS4JY3F3tuPo" data-player-variable="ooyalapopvideo" id="ooyalaplayer_popvideo" style="width:1280px;height:720px"></div>    <script>    if (typeof RunFunctions === 'undefined') { var RunFunctions = []; }     RunFunctions.push(function()    {         var ooyalapopvideo = OO.Player.create('ooyalaplayer_popvideo', 'I3MWVvNDE6kk5Ov1lc2ZDS4JY3F3tuPo',{ autoplay: 'false' });     });    </script>    <noscript><div>Please enable Javascript to watch this video</div></noscript></div>        </div>        <script>(function() { function createPlayer() { OO.ready(function() { RunFunctions.forEach(function(ooyalaFunction) { ooyalaFunction(); }); RunFunctions = [];}); } createPlayer(); }()); </script>    </div>

The Air Force may make history and buy this ridiculously cheap jet

<p><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table float_right"><div><div class="image on-image"><img src="https://static-ssl.businessinsider.com/image/57b5b000dd08955c738b4b1d-1920/airlander plane.jpg" alt="airlander plane" data-mce-source="PA" /><p class="source"><span>PA</span></p><p class="caption">The Airlander 10 is much bigger than the world's largest passenger jet.</p></div><p></p></div></div></p><p>The world's largest aircraft just took its first ever voyage.</p><p>The Airlander 10 - or Martha Gwyn, as it is officially known - is part-plane, part-airship, and part-helicopter.</p><p>The aircraft took off from an airfield in Bedfordshire on Wednesday (August 17), circling the air for 20 minutes before landing in the same spot, <a href="http://money.cnn.com/2016/08/17/technology/airlander-10-largest-aircraft-flight/" target="_blank">CNN reports</a>.</p><p>Built by Bedford-based manufacturer Hybrid Air Vehicles (HAV), the £25 million aircraft is 302 feet long, making it around 60 feet longer than the world's largest passenger plane, the Airbus A380, <a href="http://www.airbus.com/aircraftfamilies/passengeraircraft/a380family/specifications/" target="_blank">which spans nearly 240 feet</a>.</p><p>The airship was due to fly for the first time on Sunday, but was delayed by three days because of a "technical issue" that couldn't be resolved in time for a daylight flight.</p><p>Though it is not allowed to fly at night during its test stage, the aircraft managed to take off from Cardington Airfield before sunset at 7:40 p.m. on Wednesday.</p><p>HAV chief executive officer Stephen McGlennan told <a href="http://news.sky.com/story/airlander-flying-bum-takes-to-the-skies-over-uk-10541319" target="_blank">Sky News</a> that the airship could "operate very happily" in 80 knots of wind.</p><p>"Think of a big helicopter, a really giant helicopter," he said. "This can do the same thing that a helicopter can do - that's to say, provide air transportation for people and goods without the need for a runway - but this thing can take more over longer distances, it's cheaper and it's greener."</p><p>Crowds gathered and cheered at Cardington Airfield to see the aircraft take to the skies for the very first time.</p><p><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image on-image"><img src="https://static-ssl.businessinsider.com/image/57b5b000dd08955c738b4b1e-2400/pa-28390613.jpg" alt="airlander crowds" data-mce-source="Gareth Fuller / PA Wire/Press Association Images" data-link="https://www.paimages.co.uk/image-details/2.28390613" /><p class="source"><span><a href="https://www.paimages.co.uk/image-details/2.28390613">Gareth Fuller / PA Wire/Press Association Images</a></span></p><p class="caption">People waited for hours to watch the aircraft fly.</p></div><p></p></div></div></p><p><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image on-image"><img src="https://static-ssl.businessinsider.com/image/57b5b000dd08955c738b4b1f-2400/pa-28394453.jpg" alt="airlander" data-mce-source="Joe Giddens / PA Wire/Press Association Images" data-link="https://www.paimages.co.uk/image-details/2.28394453" /><p class="source"><span><a href="https://www.paimages.co.uk/image-details/2.28394453">Joe Giddens / PA Wire/Press Association Images</a></span></p><p class="caption">The maiden voyage attracted a lot of fans.</p></div><p></p></div></div></p><p>The aircraft was first developed for the US government as a surveillance aircraft, but cutbacks to defence meant the project was put on hold.</p><p>HAV launched a campaign to revive the Airlander 10 last year. The aircraft manufacturer said on Twitter that <a href="https://twitter.com/fg_strim/status/765992567544614912" target="_blank">it has made "well over 100 changes" to the original US ship</a> since taking over the project. The huge aircraft will be able to stay airborne for as long as five days, and can be used to deliver aid or for surveillance.</p><p>The blimp-like airship hasn't just attracted the public's attention due to its record size. Noticing its curvaceous shape, the media has nicknamed the aircraft the "flying bum."</p><p><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image on-image"><img src="https://static-ssl.businessinsider.com/image/57b5b000dd08955c738b4b20-2400/pa-28391429.jpg" alt="blimp" data-mce-source="Joe Giddens /PA Wire/Press Association Images" data-link="https://www.paimages.co.uk/image-details/2.28391429" /><p class="source"><span><a href="https://www.paimages.co.uk/image-details/2.28391429">Joe Giddens /PA Wire/Press Association Images</a></span></p><p class="caption">The aircraft has been nicknamed the "flying bum."</p></div><p></p></div></div></p><p><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image on-image"><img src="https://static-ssl.businessinsider.com/image/57b5b000dd08955c738b4b21-2400/pa-28394348.jpg" alt="airlander" data-mce-source="Gareth Fuller / PA Wire/Press Association Images" data-link="https://www.paimages.co.uk/image-details/2.28394348" /><p class="source"><span><a href="https://www.paimages.co.uk/image-details/2.28394348">Gareth Fuller / PA Wire/Press Association Images</a></span></p><p class="caption">Crowds cheered as the aircraft made its first flight.</p></div><p></p></div></div></p>    <div class="margin-top">        <h3>NOW WATCH: <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/worlds-longest-aircraft-makes-maiden-flight-airlander-cardington-airfield-2016-8">World's longest aircraft costing £25 million has just completed its first ever flight</a></h3>        <div>            <div>    <script src="http://player.ooyala.com/v3/6e12e8b3387a44daacfb73afba25a76e"></script>    <div class="ooyala-video-player" data-video-autoplay="false" data-video-id="s5cG5lNTE63L8ddinIyQM-ZsgwiKnDTn" data-player-variable="ooyalapopvideo" id="ooyalaplayer_popvideo" style="width:1280px;height:720px"></div>    <script>    if (typeof RunFunctions === 'undefined') { var RunFunctions = []; }     RunFunctions.push(function()    {         var ooyalapopvideo = OO.Player.create('ooyalaplayer_popvideo', 's5cG5lNTE63L8ddinIyQM-ZsgwiKnDTn',{ autoplay: 'false' });     });    </script>    <noscript><div>Please enable Javascript to watch this video</div></noscript></div>        </div>        <script>(function() { function createPlayer() { OO.ready(function() { RunFunctions.forEach(function(ooyalaFunction) { ooyalaFunction(); }); RunFunctions = [];}); } createPlayer(); }()); </script>    </div>

The world's largest aircraft -&#160;which is 60 feet longer than the biggest passenger jet -&#160;has completed its first ever flight

<p><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table float_right"><div><div class="image on-image"><img src="https://static-ssl.businessinsider.com/image/551beb73dd0895e6238b462a-852-639/airlander6-1.jpg" border="0" alt="airlander6"><p class="source"><span><a href="http://www.hybridairvehicles.com/news-and-media/news/a-big-idea-takes-flight">Hybrid Air Vehicles</a></span></p><p class="caption">The potential of the Airlander technology is enormous. </p></img></div><p></p></div></div>The Airlander is the biggest aircraft in the world. British manufacturers Hybrid Air Vehicles (HAV) has designed a new mix of aeroplane, airship, helicopter, and hovercraft.</p><p>The enormous <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zeppelin">Zeppelin-like</a> craft has already received backing from the <keyword id="6354868" type="COUNTRY" weightage="60" keywordseo="UK">UK</keyword> government and Iron Maiden frontman Bruce Dickinson, and now HAV is hoping to garner more <a href="http://www.hybridairvehicles.com/airlander-club">investment through crowdfunding</a> to see the project truly get off the ground.</p><p>The Airlander 10, which is 60ft longer than an Airbus A380 (the biggest passenger jet) is searching for smaller backers to add to a £3.4 million government grant, <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/mar/30/worlds-largest-aircraft-looking-for-investors-to-give-it-liftoff">the Guardian reports</a>, as well as £250,000 given by the Iron Maiden star. The team wants to build hundreds of the airships to fill the skies, and is also working on the commercial flight-focused Airlander 50, which is even bigger and at prototype stage, <a href="http://www.hybridairvehicles.com/news-and-media/news/a-big-idea-takes-flight">HAV says.</a></p><p>Airlander technology was first patented in 2001, when it was taken over by the US military. But development was slow and cuts slowed progress down. Since then the airship has only had one test flight (in 2012) at the Lakehurst air force base in New Jersey.</p><p><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image on-image"><img src="https://static-ssl.businessinsider.com/image/551beb73dd0895e6238b462b-1200-924/airlander.jpg" border="0" alt="airlander"><p class="source"><span><a href="http://www.hybridairvehicles.com/news-and-media/news/a-big-idea-takes-flight">HAV</a></span></p><p class="caption">Airlander test flight, New Jersey.</p></img></div><p></p></div></div></p><p>But now HAV has bought the intellectual property back, for just $300,000, <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/mar/30/worlds-largest-aircraft-looking-for-investors-to-give-it-liftoff">the Guardian says.</a> It had been paid $90 million - so it's really cashed in, too. There are big plans. The airship is now based near Bedford and HAV writes that public support is promising. The most notable is Dickinson's, who ploughed his cash into the project after meeting the "genius behind it," the <a href="http://hav.sitedesignlondon.co.uk/rogermunk.aspx">late inventor Roger Munk.</a></p><p><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image on-image"><img src="https://static-ssl.businessinsider.com/image/551beb73dd0895e6238b462f-1200-924/airlander2.jpg" border="0" alt="airlander2"><p class="source"><span><a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Hybrid-Air-Vehicles/426641664040843?sk=photos_stream">HAV/Facebook</a></span></p><p class="caption">The Airlander peeking out of its Cardington air hanger.</p></img></div><p></p></div></div></p><p>Dickinson <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/mar/30/worlds-largest-aircraft-looking-for-investors-to-give-it-liftoff">told the Guardian</a>:</p><p style="padding-left: 30px;">I told my wife, I'm about to put £100k into a big bag of helium. It may go up in smoke. She said, people have to dream, and unless you can dream something it's never going to happen. I'm not expecting to get my money back any time soon, I just want to be part of it. Being a rock person, I could put it up my nose, or buy a million Rolls Royces and drive them into swimming pools, or I could do something useful. There are very few times in your life when you're going to be part of something big.</p><p><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image on-image"><img src="https://static-ssl.businessinsider.com/image/551beb73dd0895e6238b462d-1200-800/475551497.jpg" border="0" alt="Airlander"><p class="source"><span>Getty/Oli Scarff</span></p><p class="caption">Dickinson in an Airlander. </p></img></div><p></p></div></div></p><p>Dickinson believes the technology has been ignored and clearly feels it could be the answer to the world's aviation needs. According to HAV, the ships can reach speeds of up to 100mph and are much greener and quieter than current planes. They're propelled by four engines, and use helium to fill the hull.</p><p><a href="http://www.hybridairvehicles.com/news-and-media/news/a-big-idea-takes-flight">As HAV writes on its website</a>, the project is also, in a way, a relic of the past. Bedford is where the British airships were built way back in 1915, then incredibly "cutting edge" technology. Zeppelins were in action not long after. The "hotels in the skies" <a href="http://www.hybridairvehicles.com/news-and-media/news/a-big-idea-takes-flight">were an exciting prospect for travel</a>, especially between the UK and US. One flight halved the crossing time (from four days by ship). </p><p><a href="http://www.bbc.com/culture/story/20141126-the-airship-that-ruled-the-skies">But memories have been somewhat tarnished by the famous fire and crash in 1937. </a>The Hindenburg disaster finished production and the <a href="http://www.cnet.com/news/hindenburg-disaster-75-years-ago-abruptly-ended-zeppelin-era/">luxury transportation they afforded the rich and famous was finished</a>. Until now, it seems.</p><p><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image on-image"><img src="https://static-ssl.businessinsider.com/image/551beb73dd0895e6238b462c-1200-924/airlander4.jpg" border="0" alt="airlander"><p class="source"><span><a href="http://www.hybridairvehicles.com/news-and-media/news/a-big-idea-takes-flight">HAV</a></span></p><p class="caption">The Airlander is housed at Cardington air hangar in Bedfordshire.</p></img></div><p></p></div></div></p><p>Today, the company believes the Airlander 10 can be used for communications, filming, and surveillance, which is why UK defence is interested. And with the Airlander 50 there are plans to "transform and disrupt the cargo market by building a craft that will be able to carry 50 tonnes." HAV is going to launch demonstrations in 2016 to try to raise extra cash to fund the enterprise to begin with.</p><p>The group adds:</p><p style="padding-left: 30px;">This enormous construction will be able to transport goods and equipment literally to all corners of the earth. It can land on water, desert or ice, enabling access to remote and inaccessible places, from the jungles of Africa to the icy terrain of Canada. All the studies indicate that there is a market for up to 1,000 of these craft," the website explains.</p><p><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image on-image"><img src="https://static-ssl.businessinsider.com/image/551beb73dd0895e6238b462e-855-641/airlander-1.jpg" border="0" alt="airlander"><p class="source"><span><a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Hybrid-Air-Vehicles/426641664040843?sk=photos_stream">HAV/Facebook</a></span></p><p class="caption">A rendering of an Airlander flight.</p></img></div><p></p></div></div></p>    <div class="margin-top">        <h3>NOW WATCH: <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/nasa-a-year-in-the-life-of-earth-2014-12">Amazing Supercomputer Animation Shows How CO2 In The Atmosphere Travels Around The Globe</a></h3>        <div>            <div>    <script src="http://player.ooyala.com/v3/6e12e8b3387a44daacfb73afba25a76e"></script>    <div class="ooyala-video-player" data-video-autoplay="false" data-video-id="ViZWc3cjphw_lG-48aLmEpUlmLs8EuSv" data-player-variable="ooyalapopvideo" id="ooyalaplayer_popvideo" style="width:1280px;height:720px"></div>    <script>    if (typeof RunFunctions === 'undefined') { var RunFunctions = []; }     RunFunctions.push(function()    {         var ooyalapopvideo = OO.Player.create('ooyalaplayer_popvideo', 'ViZWc3cjphw_lG-48aLmEpUlmLs8EuSv',{ autoplay: 'false' });     });    </script>    <noscript><div>Please enable Javascript to watch this video</div></noscript></div>        </div>        <script>(function() { function createPlayer() { OO.ready(function() { RunFunctions.forEach(function(ooyalaFunction) { ooyalaFunction(); }); RunFunctions = [];}); } createPlayer(); }()); </script>    </div>

Iron Maiden's Bruce Dickinson has an insanely ambitious plan to bring huge Zeppelins back to the skies

<p><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table float_right"><div><div class="image on-image"><img src="https://static-ssl.businessinsider.com/image/56d0681b6e97c629008b9e2c-1024/1024px-iraq-m1abrams.jpg" alt="iraq m1 abrams" data-mce-source="US Army, Staff Sgt. Aaron Allmon II" data-mce-caption="Soldiers from 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment conduct security with their M1 Abrams Main Battle Tank for a cordon and search operation in Biaj, Iraq in May, 2008." data-link="https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Iraq-m1_abrams.jpg"><p class="source"><span><a href="https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Iraq-m1_abrams.jpg">US Army, Staff Sgt. Aaron Allmon II</a></span></p><p class="caption">US Soldiers from 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment in an M1 Abrams main battle tank in Biaj, Iraq, in May 2008.</p></img></div><p></p></div></div></p><p>Army Lt. Gen. John M. Murray told the Senate Armed Services Committee's Airland subcommittee that other militaries - including some potential adversaries - have produced tanks that could match the US's marquee battle tank, the M1 Abrams.</p><p><span>"I think for the very near term, the Abrams is still near the very top of its class," Murray, deputy chief of staff for financial management, told the Senate, <a href="https://www.defensetech.org/2017/03/28/foreign-tanks-match-m1-abrams/?comp=1199477489291&amp;rank=0" target="_blank">according</a> to <keyword id="6354810" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="100" keywordseo="Defense">Defense</keyword> Tech.</span></p><p><span>"I think we have parity," he said of the Abrams, which entered service in 1980, in response to a question from Alaska Republican Sen. Dan Sullivan, who was a Marine in Afghanistan. </span></p><p><span>"I think there is parity out there," Murray added. "I don't think we have over match."</span></p><p><span>Later, when asked about peer or near-peer tanks by Arkansas Republican Sen. Tom Cotton, Murray named several models.</span></p><p><span><span>"I would say that the Israelis' - the Merkava - would be one," he said. </span></span></p><p><span><span>"The [Russian] T-90 is probably pretty close. People talk about their Armata tank, and that's still, in my mind, not completely fielded. Probably the British tank [Challenger 2] is pretty close," Murray continued. "I would not say that we have the world-class tank that we had for many, many years. I'll be an optimist and say that we're at parity with a lot of different nations."</span></span></p><p><span><span><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image on-image"><img src="https://static-ssl.businessinsider.com/image/55f820599dd7cc15008ba635-2400/firingt-90amainbattletank.jpg" alt="T-90 battle tank Russia" data-mce-source="Vitaly V. Kuzmin" data-mce-caption="A T-90A tank firing its main gun at Engineering Technologies 2012." data-link="http://vitalykuzmin.net/?q=node/455"><p class="source"><span><a href="http://vitalykuzmin.net/?q=node/455">Vitaly V. Kuzmin</a></span></p><p class="caption">A T-90A tank firing its main gun at Engineering Technologies 2012.</p></img></div><p></p></div></div></span></span></p><p><span><span>Of the tanks Murray mentioned, Israel's Merkava IV <a href="http://www.popularmechanics.com/military/weapons/a25867/us-army-foreign-tanks-competitive-m1-abrams/" target="_blank">is the newest</a>, introduced in 2004.</span></span></p><p><span><span>Russia's tanks - the T-90 and the T-14 Armata - are Moscow's <a href="http://www.popularmechanics.com/military/weapons/a25867/us-army-foreign-tanks-competitive-m1-abrams/" target="_blank">latest models</a>. The T-90A, the latest iteration of the 1970s' T-72, came online in 2004 and has a number of sophisticated armaments, including antitank and anti-missile systems - although it appears to have reached a "dead end" for improvements, <a href="http://www.popularmechanics.com/military/weapons/a25867/us-army-foreign-tanks-competitive-m1-abrams/" target="_blank">according</a><span> to Popular Mechanics.</span></span></span></p><p><span><span>The Armata is Russia's newest tank and is based on a completely new design, though d</span></span><span><span><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table float_right"><div><div class="image on-image"><img src="https://static-ssl.businessinsider.com/image/56b8b3752e5265b8008b5a07-1024/challenger2tankfromthebritisharmedforces3rdbattalion1.jpg" alt="Challenger 2 british tank" data-mce-source="Staff Sgt. Brooks Fletcher, US Army Europe Public Affairs" data-mce-caption="A Challenger 2 tank from the Britished Armed Force's 3rd Battalion, Mercian Regiment, waits in position for a possible attack, as a part of Saber Junction, on Hohenfels Training Area, Oct. 28. Saber Junction is a large-scale, joint, multinational, military training event with US Soldiers and more than 1,800 multinational forces." data-link="http://www.flickr.com/photos/usarmyeurope_images/8131427464/in/set-72157631688658714"><p class="source"><span><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/usarmyeurope_images/8131427464/in/set-72157631688658714">Staff Sgt. Brooks Fletcher, US Army Europe Public Affairs</a></span></p><p class="caption">A British Challenger 2 takes part in the Saber Junction exercise in Hohenfels Training Area, October 28.</p></img></div><p></p></div></div></span></span><span><span>evelopment issues and budget cuts appear to have slowed its deployment.</span></span></p><p><span><span>The T-90A is the only tank used by US adversaries' Russia and Syria, Popular Mechanics notes.</span></span></p><p><span><span>The UK has its Challenger 2, debuted <a href="https://www.defensetech.org/2017/03/28/foreign-tanks-match-m1-abrams/?comp=1199477489291&amp;rank=0" target="_blank">in 1998</a> to replace the Challenger 1, which was in service during the Cold War. </span></span></p><p><span><span>As the Challenger 2 and T-90A have been in service for most of the last 20 years, their parity or near parity with the Abrams <a href="http://www.popularmechanics.com/military/weapons/a25867/us-army-foreign-tanks-competitive-m1-abrams/" target="_blank">has existed for some time</a>.</span></span></p><p><span><span>Murray, responding to questions, <a href="http://www.popularmechanics.com/military/weapons/a25867/us-army-foreign-tanks-competitive-m1-abrams/" target="_blank">didn't mention</a> several other current tanks, including Germany's Leopard 2 and Japan's Type 10. Nor did he refer to China's Type 99. Besides tanks, there is also plenty of competition for the US military in the air as well.</span></span></p><p><span><span>In a <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/chinas-military-near-parity-west-2017-2" target="_blank">recent report</a>, the International Institute for Strategic Studies wrote: "<span>We now judge that in some capability areas, particularly in the air domain, China appears to be reaching near-parity with the West." </span></span></span></p><p><span><span><span>China's Defense Ministry <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/r-china-says-troops-reductions-on-track-2017-3" target="_blank">recently said</a> its plans to demobilize 300,000 troops to free up cash for more high-tech air force and navy weaponry were on track.</span></span></span></p><p><span><span><span>Murray's omission of Beijing's Type 99, introduced to service in 2001, <a href="http://www.popularmechanics.com/military/weapons/a25867/us-army-foreign-tanks-competitive-m1-abrams/" target="_blank">may mean</a> the Pentagon still sees the Abrams as more advanced.</span></span></span></p><p><span><span><span><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table float_right"><div><div class="image on-image"><img src="https://static-ssl.businessinsider.com/image/56fd184752bcd026008b9e68-945/screen shot 2016-03-31 at 82908 am.png" alt="type 99 china tank" data-mce-source="Max Smith Public Domain"><p class="source"><span>Max Smith Public Domain</span></p><p class="caption">A Chinese Type 99 Main Battle Tank on display at the Beijing Military Museum, August 1, 2007.</p></img></div><p></p></div></div></span></span></span></p><p><span><span><span>The Abrams, continually upgraded over the last decade and a half, appears to be nearing the end of its operational life, <a href="http://www.popularmechanics.com/military/weapons/a25867/us-army-foreign-tanks-competitive-m1-abrams/" target="_blank">Popular Mechanics notes</a>, though the US military has yet to settle on an effective replacement.</span></span></span></p><p><span><span><span>The US Army is "<span>just about reaching the limits of what we can do with the Abrams, so it is time for us to start looking at a next-generation tank," Murray told the Senate subcommittee.</span></span></span></span></p><p><span><span><span><span>But, <a href="https://www.defensetech.org/2017/03/28/foreign-tanks-match-m1-abrams/?comp=1199477489291&amp;rank=0" target="_blank">the general added</a>, "There is nothing on the horizon that indicates a fundamental breakthrough in technology where we can come up with a lighter tank."</span></span></span></span></p>      <div class="margin-top">        <h3>NOW WATCH: <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/drivetanks-military-museum-tanks-guns-flamethrowers-texas-shooting-weapons-military-army-wwii-2017-3">You can drive tanks and shoot huge guns at this Texas ranch</a></h3>        <div>            <div>    <script src="http://player.ooyala.com/v3/6e12e8b3387a44daacfb73afba25a76e"></script>    <div class="ooyala-video-player" data-video-autoplay="false" data-video-id="twZXFoYTE62yKnvsZDFUJpc69zucZKDg" data-player-variable="ooyalapopvideo" id="ooyalaplayer_popvideo" style="width:1280px;height:720px"></div>    <script>    if (typeof RunFunctions === 'undefined') { var RunFunctions = []; }     RunFunctions.push(function()    {         var ooyalapopvideo = OO.Player.create('ooyalaplayer_popvideo', 'twZXFoYTE62yKnvsZDFUJpc69zucZKDg',{ autoplay: 'false' });     });    </script>    <noscript><div>Please enable Javascript to watch this video</div></noscript></div>        </div>        <script>(function() { function createPlayer() { OO.ready(function() { RunFunctions.forEach(function(ooyalaFunction) { ooyalaFunction(); }); RunFunctions = [];}); } createPlayer(); }()); </script>    </div>

You Searched For "airlander 10" and got 9 results

The world's biggest aircraft could begin transporting passengers in 4 years - see what it might be like aboard 'The Flying Bum'

Brittany Chang

The world's largest aircraft Airlander 10 just got bigger - check out the 'The Flying Bum'

The world's largest aircraft Airlander 10 just got bigger - check out the 'The Flying Bum'

Brittany Chang

Helium-filled airships to carry passengers as soon as 2026 in $600 million deal with British Airways' sister airline

Abby Wallace

Inside the world's largest aircraft, which is set to have glass floors and take wealthy travellers on luxury 3-day expeditions

Tom Murray

The Air Force may make history and buy this ridiculously cheap jet

David Choi

The world's largest aircraft - which is 60 feet longer than the biggest passenger jet - has completed its first ever flight

Edith Hancock

Iron Maiden's Bruce Dickinson has an insanely ambitious plan to bring huge Zeppelins back to the skies

Joshua Barrie

Army general says foreign militaries are breaking even with the capabilities of the M1 Abrams tank

Christopher Woody

You Searched For "airlander 10" and got 9 results

The world's biggest aircraft could begin transporting passengers in 4 years - see what it might be like aboard 'The Flying Bum'

Brittany Chang

The world's largest aircraft Airlander 10 just got bigger - check out the 'The Flying Bum'

The world's largest aircraft Airlander 10 just got bigger - check out the 'The Flying Bum'

Brittany Chang

Helium-filled airships to carry passengers as soon as 2026 in $600 million deal with British Airways' sister airline

Abby Wallace

Inside the world's largest aircraft, which is set to have glass floors and take wealthy travellers on luxury 3-day expeditions

Tom Murray

The Air Force may make history and buy this ridiculously cheap jet

David Choi

The world's largest aircraft -&#160;which is 60 feet longer than the biggest passenger jet -&#160;has completed its first ever flight

Edith Hancock

Iron Maiden's Bruce Dickinson has an insanely ambitious plan to bring huge Zeppelins back to the skies

Joshua Barrie

Army general says foreign militaries are breaking even with the capabilities of the M1 Abrams tank

Christopher Woody

The world's largest aircraft - which is 60 feet longer than the biggest passenger jet - has completed its first ever flight