China’s first independently developed manned civilian airship, the AS700, was delivered on September 14 to Guangxi Guilin Ark General Aviation in Yangshuo County, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region. The delivery was made by the Special Vehicle Research Institute of the Aviation Industry Corporation of China(AVIC), the main developer of the airship.
The AS700 manned airship
The AS700 is a modern aircraft with a capacity for 10 people, a maximum flight range of 700 kilometers and a duration of up to 10 hours. The aircraft is designed with a maximum speed of 100 kilometers per hour and a flight altitude of 3,100 meters, this aircraft allows to offer a safe and efficient experience for aerial tourism, especially in regions such as Yangshuo, known for its stunning natural scenery.
The chief designer of the AS700, Zhou Lei, mentioned that the airship“integrates an envelope made of high-strength multilayer materials and high safety standards.” It also incorporates a thrust vectoring system, which enables short, vertical takeoffs and landings, an innovation that could be applied in the future to flying cars and electric airplanes.
Jin Tao, deputy director of AVIC’s Special Vehicle Research Institute, said the AS700 represents the most advanced level of technology and development in the field of manned airships in China. This is because the airship is ideal for low-altitude tourism and other applications such as aerial advertising, urban inspections and emergency rescue operations.
The delivery of the AS700 is historic for China in the aviation industry, consolidating its ability to develop advanced civil aircraft with proprietary technology. AVIC and Guangxi Guilin Ark General Aviation are looking to leverage the AS700’s capability to boost the region’s low-altitude aviation economy and open up new opportunities in the sector.
China’s first manned airship. Source: South China Morning Post
Jin also revealed that AVIC is exploring new models and applications for the future of airships, such as electric and unmanned vehicles, seeking to expand the possibilities of controlled, low-altitude aviation.
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Source and photo: SCMP
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