Jingmen City, Hubei Province—China’s independently developed civil manned airship, the AS700, has successfully completed its first ferry flight, marking a significant milestone in the nation’s aviation advancements.
The AS700 took off from Jingmen City at 7:04 a.m. Beijing Time on Saturday, soaring into the skies over central China’s Hubei Province. After a smooth flight lasting 106 minutes, the airship gracefully landed in Jingzhou City. Following a brief stopover, it returned to Jingmen, completing the inaugural ferry flight with precision and reliability.
Developed by the Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC), the country’s leading aircraft manufacturer, the AS700 represents a leap forward in airship technology. Its single-capsule design and single-point landing gear are engineered to meet the growing demand for air touring, emergency rescue operations, and urban services.
With a maximum takeoff weight of 4,150 kilograms, the AS700 boasts impressive capabilities. It can cover a maximum flight range of 700 kilometers and has an endurance of up to 10 hours in the air. Capable of reaching speeds of 100 kilometers per hour, the airship can accommodate up to 10 people, including the pilot, making it suitable for a variety of civil aviation needs.
The successful ferry flight of the AS700 not only showcases China’s ingenuity in aviation technology but also opens new possibilities for utilizing airships in civilian applications. As the nation continues to push the boundaries of innovation, the AS700 is poised to play a significant role in the future of air travel and services.
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China-developed manned airship AS700 completes first ferry flight
cgtn.com
