https://www.sixthtone.com/news/1016712
"Decades after blimps faded from the skies, China is betting on a comeback —
this time with zero emissions. Last week, the country’s first all-electric
airship completed its maiden flight, part of an ambitious push to expand
low-altitude aviation, a growing sector focused on tourism, logistics, and
eco-friendly transport below 1,000 meters.
The AS700D “Xiangyun” — or “Auspicious Cloud,” a traditional symbol of good
fortune in Chinese culture — conducted four takeoffs and landings in Jingmen, a
city in central China’s Hubei province.
Developed by the Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC), a state-owned
aerospace and defense giant, the AS700D is a fully electrified upgrade of the
AS700, China’s first manned airship, which began commercial operations in
September 2024.
Unlike its predecessor, which consumes about 45 liters of gasoline per hour,
the AS700D is entirely electric. “The AS700D airship is powered entirely by
lithium batteries, making it nearly zero-emission during flight and
significantly reducing noise levels,” Zhou Lei, the airship’s chief designer,
told state-run
Xinhua News Agency.
The new model retains the AS700’s maximum altitude of 3,100 meters and
10-person capacity, but sacrifices speed and endurance. While the AS700 can fly
up to 700 kilometers over 10 hours, the AS700D has a maximum range of just 60
to 70 kilometers and a flight time of 1.5 hours at a top speed of 80 kilometers
per hour.
However, AVIC says the electric airship offers greater stability and smoother
handling. Unlike conventional aircraft that lose weight as they burn fuel, the
AS700D’s battery maintains a consistent mass, making takeoffs and landings
easier to control.
The company claims the improved design makes it particularly suited for
operations in areas with strict environmental regulations, such as nature
reserves and ecologically sensitive zones. “It can also be used for aerial
photography, security monitoring, traffic control, and communication relay
during large-scale events such as concerts and marathons,” Zhou said."
Via Esther Schindler.
Cheers,
*** Xanni ***
--
mailto:xanni@xanadu.net Andrew Pam
http://xanadu.com.au/ Chief Scientist, Xanadu
https://glasswings.com.au/ Partner, Glass Wings
https://sericyb.com.au/ Manager, Serious Cybernetics
