Airlander 10, the large, helium-filled plane/balloon/bum-shaped flying thing still hasn't left the ground since Hybrid Air Vehicles of the UK (HAV) bought it back from the US Military and reassembled it.
The cost of development was $USD 297 million when it was canned. HAV paid $301,000 for it (minus military hardware, software, and the helium)
The original version flew once, for 90 minutes, in August 2012. The makers are still claiming 90mph (148kph) maximum speed and up to five days aloft.
Sources:
http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-beds-bucks-herts-37086999
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hybrid_Air_Vehicles_HAV_304_Airlander_10
I still want a ride on it, if it ever flies.
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After almost six months, Airlander 10 has finally been repaired and will continue its flight test programme. Back in August the giant airship crashed into the ground, crushing the flight deck—but somehow the crew escaped unscathed. The flight deck's instrument panels, overhead console, and associated wiring had to be reinstalled.
There will now be a period of "rigorous" training and testing before the blimp once again takes flight, which will presumably be later this year.
Following an investigation after the crash, Hybrid Air Vehicles said it "fully understands" the root causes of the incident—but it didn't say what those causes were. We've asked the company for more details and will update this story if we hear back.
Source:
Previously:
Hybrid Air Vehicles Seeking Investors for Airlander 10 Hybrid Airship
Airlander 10 - Test Flight Delayed
World's Largest Aircraft Takes Off for the First Time
Airships may indeed be well-suited to tasks like cargo transport, surveying and surveillance, but what really captures peoples' imaginations is the thought of travelling aboard one as a tourist. Well, according to Britain's Hybrid Air Vehicles (HAV), such a scenario could soon be a reality.
HAV is the developer of the Airlander 10, which is currently the world's largest aircraft. It's powered by four 325-hp (242-kW) turbocharged diesel engines and uses aerodynamic lift like a conventional fixed-wing aircraft to take off, with helium keeping it aloft once it's in the air. Additionally, it can carry payloads of up to 10,000 kg (22,050 lb), stay in the air for five days at a time with a crew, and doesn't require a purpose-built runway.
...
the company revealed that next year, UK-based Henry Cookson Adventures (HCA) will become the first private excursion company to trial the Airlander 10. HCA will be taking the aircraft on its first international flight – an "expeditionary journey" – with an eye towards ultimately using a type-certified version of it for transporting paying customers to remote and exotic locations around the world.
Fancy a sight-seeing flight to Kamchatka?
Previously:
World's Largest Aircraft Repaired and Ready to Fly Again
World's Largest Aircraft Takes Off for the First Time
Airlander 10 - Test Flight Delayed
World's Largest Aircraft "Weeks" Away From First UK Test Flight
Hybrid Air Vehicles Seeking Investors for Airlander 10 Hybrid Airship
World's Longest Aircraft
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Tuesday August 16 2016, @08:03PM
Oh yes, oh yes, terrorists wet dream! Buttrape the balloon with pointy weapons!! ALLAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH
(Score: 4, Funny) by bob_super on Tuesday August 16 2016, @08:07PM
500 internets to the first person who convinces a terrorist to crash this giant balloon into a skyscraper.
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Tuesday August 16 2016, @08:21PM
You're supposed to suicide-crash it yourself, not convince a loser to do it for you.
(Score: 2) by DECbot on Tuesday August 16 2016, @08:26PM
You obviously have no ambition to become a CET (Chief Executive Terrorist).
cats~$ sudo chown -R us /home/base
(Score: 1, Funny) by Anonymous Coward on Tuesday August 16 2016, @08:29PM
I'm a Master Chief Petty Terrorist.
(Score: 3, Funny) by fritsd on Tuesday August 16 2016, @10:00PM
It's captain A-H-ab, not captain A-R-ab.
Sheesh..
Although, your comment, and the airship's shape, also reminds me a bit of Robert de Niro's fantastic rôle as captain Shakespeare in "Stardust" [wikipedia.org]..
(Score: 1, Funny) by Anonymous Coward on Tuesday August 16 2016, @09:06PM
The ship's proper name is The Martha Gwyn [blimpinfo.com] . Please stop calling it the Blimpy McBumface.
(Score: 2) by Absolutely.Geek on Tuesday August 16 2016, @09:27PM
Why am I not surprised that the Daily Fail would have a headline like "...the flying bum..." such quality journalism; it should be an example to us all.
Don't trust the police or the government - Shihad: My mind's sedate.
(Score: 2) by butthurt on Tuesday August 16 2016, @10:48PM
Others who dived into the cesspool with filthy headlines are The Japan Times,
http://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2016/08/15/world/science-health-world/technical-glitch-scrubs-flying-bum-airships-maiden-run/ [japantimes.co.jp]
Reuters,
http://www.reuters.com/article/us-england-longestaircraft-idUSKCN10K2MP [reuters.com]
Sputnik,
http://sputniknews.com/science/20160810/1044110111/airlander-readies-maiden-voyage.html [sputniknews.com]
the Straits Times,
http://www.straitstimes.com/world/europe/flying-bum-set-for-first-flight-as-civilian-aircraft [straitstimes.com]
and the Mirror (well, they would, wouldn't they?).
http://www.mirror.co.uk/tech/worlds-biggest-aircraft-known-flying-8589269 [mirror.co.uk]
(Score: 2) by Absolutely.Geek on Wednesday August 17 2016, @01:45AM
Ok I am surprised that Reuters would stoop to that level; I have no preconceived notions about Japan Times or Straits Times (well now I do).
Don't trust the police or the government - Shihad: My mind's sedate.
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Wednesday August 17 2016, @02:56AM
Just like a broken clock, every now and then even Daily Mail gets it right, and this is one such occasion.
(Score: 2) by MostCynical on Tuesday August 16 2016, @10:01PM
does anyone think this will ever have a successful commercial flight?
"I guess once you start doubting, there's no end to it." -Batou, Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex
(Score: 2) by DECbot on Tuesday August 16 2016, @10:36PM
I think that its success will be just short of the Titanic's.
cats~$ sudo chown -R us /home/base
(Score: 2) by MostCynical on Tuesday August 16 2016, @11:01PM
Well, it likely harder to sink..
"I guess once you start doubting, there's no end to it." -Batou, Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex
(Score: 2) by butthurt on Tuesday August 16 2016, @11:26PM
The Titanic could float when its engines were turned off.
This aircraft is heavier than air. Unless its engines are running, it will sink to the ground. It would probably float on water, but the cabin would be submerged, I suppose.
(Score: 2) by PinkyGigglebrain on Tuesday August 16 2016, @10:43PM
And you have Thunderbird 0.2
give it a few more years and it'll eventually get to version 2.0
http://wetwebworkcomimg.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/thunderbird_2.png [amazonaws.com]
"Beware those who would deny you Knowledge, For in their hearts they dream themselves your Master."
(Score: 2) by butthurt on Tuesday August 16 2016, @11:58PM
Slim it down and you've got a Firefox.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0083943/plotsummary [imdb.com]
(Score: 1, Funny) by Anonymous Coward on Wednesday August 17 2016, @02:45AM
Biggles would have called it ¨The Sopwith Cameltoe".
http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2016/08/15/01/36F7443C00000578-0-image-a-171_1471222263964.jpg [dailymail.co.uk]
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Wednesday August 17 2016, @03:25PM
Pointless waste of Helium. Next...