World’s biggest aircraft Airlander 10 makes maiden voyage in Britain

The world's largest airship, Airlander 10, flew for the first time on 17 August 2016 over London's Cardington airfield.

This flight of the 92-metre ship, nicknamed the Flying Bum for its shape, lasted for about 30 minutes. The aircraft completed a series of flight manoeuvres and landed safely.

About Airlander 10

• The Hybrid Air Vehicles HAV 304 Airlander 10 is a hybrid airship made by Hybrid Air Vehicles (HAV) in the United Kingdom.

• It was originally built for the US Army's Long Endurance Multi-intelligence Vehicle (LEMV) project.

• The US Army cancelled the LEMV project for cost reasons in February 2013.

• HAV bought back the airship in September 2013 for 301000 US dollar.

• In 2014, it was reassembled and refurbished for civilian use at RAF Cardington in England. It was also redesignated the Airlander 10.

• HAV announced the new version in March 2016, with potential civil, military and leisure uses.

• The aircraft is 143ft-wide and 85ft-high. It is about 50ft longer than the biggest passenger jets.

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