Sure, Flying Whales is no Samson Switchblade, but this massive hybrid airship can be used to transport cargo to remote locations around the world. It’s officially called the Large Capacity Airship 60 Tonne (LCA60T) and would cost as little as one-fifth to operate compared to a current-generation cargo carrier aircraft like the Airbus Beluga.
The LCA60T measures 656 feet (200 m) from nose to tail and 164 feet (50 m) in diameter, while its 315-ft-long (96-m) cargo hold can be used to transport up to 132,000 lb (60,000 kg) of goods per trip. Power comes from 32 D250 motors making 308hp each for a combined 5,360 hp to drive the propellers, enabling it to hit a top speed of 63 mph. Flight testing is expected to begin in 2027 should everything go as planned.
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FLYING WHALES and EXOES , a company specializing in thermal management for electromobility, are joining forces to equip the LCA60T airship with high-tech batteries. A collaborative working method was set up between our two companies from the study of the specifications, which will allow us to obtain the best possible product. The LCA60T will thus be able to generate and distribute power of up to 4 x 1 MW,” said the company.
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