UK-based Hybrid Air Vehicles (HAV) has received pre-orders for three Airlander 10 airships, signaling the type’s first step into defense operations.
The buyer, an unnamed defense firm, plans to employ the aircraft for long-range ISR and tactical transport missions.
Airlander 10 combines buoyant lift and efficient engines, enabling endurance of up to five days aloft and the ability to take off from flat, unpaved, or aquatic surfaces.
Although designed for civil certification, its modular system allows easy adaptation for multiple missions, including surveillance, cargo movement, or drone coordination.
Each airship supports payloads above three tonnes, providing ample capacity for mission electronics and sensors.
The aircraft’s low thermal and acoustic footprint enhances survivability, while its efficiency promises reduced logistical demands.
HAV said it expects further defense demand as militaries seek sustainable, cost-effective solutions for persistent airborne operations.
