Hyperdrive
‘Flying Whale’ Blimp That Never Lands Joins Global Airship Race
- Craft will hover over forests, lift up to 60 tons of logs
- First flight of 500-foot model backed by China is due in 2021
Flying Whales Cargo Airships
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France has entered the global race to develop a viable cargo airship with a 500-foot blimp designed to lift lumber from deep woodland.
Flying Whales is joining a contest that includes defense giant Lockheed Martin Corp. and a clutch of smaller players. What’s different about the latest project is the combined benefit of the blimp being able to lift an industry-leading 60 tons, but without any requirement for mooring pylons.