The world’s longest aircraft was brought out of its hangar in England over the weekend. But the first thing most people noticed about the Airlander 10, besides its enormous size, was that its front looked like a huge behind.
At 302 feet long, the Airlander 10 is 50 feet longer than the largest configuration of the Boeing 747.
The airship was originally developed by the U.S. Army for surveillance; however, the project was picked up by Hybrid Air Vehicles nearly a decade ago after funding ran out, the BBC reported.
Once it proves safe to fly, the airship could be used for surveillance, cargo, communications, humanitarian missions and passenger travel.
The airship was officially named the Martha Gwyn, after the wife of Hybrid Air Vehicles chairman Philip Gwyn, according to the Daily Telegraph. It’s filled with 1.3 million cubic feet of helium, and is expected to reach an altitude of 20,000 feet and fly for up to five days at speeds of 90 mph.
“It was a very smooth first journey for Airlander and she behaved beautifully,” technical director Mike Durham told the Bedfordshire On Sunday newspaper. “We’re delighted to have reached this significant milestone.”
The date of the airship’s first test flight has not yet been announced.
THE HUFFINGTON POST
