The Chinese electric piloted airship AS700D has successfully completed its first flight, marking a significant breakthrough in eco-friendly aviation technology within the low-altitude aircraft sector, reports Kazpravda.kz citing Naked-Science.
The airship was developed by the Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC).
The AS700D took to the skies on the morning of February 21 in Jingmen, Hubei Province. It executed a vertical takeoff, quickly reaching an altitude of 50 meters. After a brief hover, the aircraft made a smooth landing.
According to AVIC, this confirmed the technical maturity and principles of the airship independently developed by China, providing a technical foundation for the creation of future electric airships.
The AS700D can achieve speeds of up to 80 kilometers per hour, ascend to an altitude of 3,100 meters, and accommodate up to 10 passengers, including the pilot.
In April 2024, the piloted airship conducted its first ferry flight in China. During this flight, the aircraft demonstrated its ability to perform vertical takeoffs and landings in narrow areas.