Hanneke Weitering is a writer and editor with AIN covering advanced air mobility and new flight technologies. She became an aviation journalist and joined the AIN team in the summer of 2022 after reporting on spaceflight and astronomy for six years at Space.com. After earning a bachelor’s degree in physics from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, she moved to New York City to pursue a master’s degree in science, health, and environmental reporting at New York University&#039;s Arthur L. Carter Journalism Institute. She is now based in Seattle near Boeing Field and spends her free time exploring nature in the Pacific Northwest.

Science & Technology Editor

Hanneke Weitering

Hybrid Air Vehicles has established a subsidiary in the U.S., the UK-based airship developer announced on July 10. The new HAV USA subsidiary brings the company closer to its defense and industry customers in the region, where the company sees growing demand for its Airlander 10 hybrid-electric airship.&nbsp;
“Establishing a presence in the United States marks a new chapter in our international journey,” said Hybrid Air Vehicles CEO Tom Grundy. “We’re excited to bring our vision to new audiences and forge deeper partnerships across borders.”
HAV USA will be led by John Schumacher, a former U.S. Navy officer and NASA veteran who also serves as president of the International Academy of Astronautics. The company's announcement did not specify where the new subsidiary will be located.
“Airlander brings to the United States an aircraft whose roots and future are British and American—it embodies an unsurpassed combination of trans-Atlantic aerospace innovation,” Schumacher commented. “Airlander will provide capabilities vital to US national security and commerce.”
Originally built for the U.S. Army’s now-abandoned Long-Endurance Multi-Intelligence Vehicle (LEMV) program, the Airlander 10 is a 300-foot-long vessel capable of transporting 100 passengers or up to 10 tonnes of cargo to a range of 4,000 nm and flying for up to five days straight. HAV is designing the vessel for both civilian and defense roles, including national security and disaster response, for which HAV sees increasing demand in the U.S., the company said.&nbsp;
Initially powered by four combustion engines, the Airlander 10 will deliver a 75% reduction in emissions compared to conventional aircraft with similar capabilities, the company claims. It intends to introduce electric motors for the Airlander in 2029 to further curb emissions.&nbsp;&nbsp;
HAV intends to produce up to 24 Airlanders per year at a 50-hectare site currently under construction at<a href="https://www.ainonline.com/news-article/2023-04-21/hybrid-air-vehicles-plans-build-airlander-hybrid-electric-airship-northern">&nbsp;Doncaster in northern England</a>. The company said it is “in the final stages of planning for the production of Airlander 10, its first commercial aircraft.”
Spanish airliner Air Nostrum placed an order for ten airships in 2022. It expects to begin taking deliveries in 2026 and will operate them for regional passenger flights.

News and developments about airplanes, helicopters and unmanned air vehicles used in all varieties of operations, including airlines, military, business, commercial, general aviation and private.

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