China introduces domestically produced AS700 manned airship
On Saturday, China's first independently developed AS700 civil manned airship was handed over to Guangxi Guilin Ark General Aviation Co., Ltd., located in Yangshuo County in Guilin, within the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region in southern China.
TroibNews 
On Saturday, Guangxi Guilin Ark General Aviation Co., Ltd., located in Yangshuo County in Guilin within the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region of south China, received China’s first domestically produced AS700 civil manned airship.
The handover was facilitated by the Aviation Industry Corporation of China's Special Vehicle Research Institute, the creative minds behind the airship. Intended for scenic air tours, the AS700 will take advantage of Yangshuo's picturesque landscapes that resemble traditional ink paintings.
The airship can accommodate up to 10 passengers, achieves a top flight speed of 100 kilometers per hour, and can ascend to a maximum of 3,100 meters. Its maximum range is 700 kilometers with a flight duration of up to 10 hours.
Zhou Lei, the chief designer of the AS700, highlighted the significance of the achievement. "Airships have always been in the dreams of the Chinese. Researchers and aviators have been dedicated to the study of airships. Now, we have the AS700, which is a modern airship with completely independent intellectual property rights," he stated.
He further shared specifics about the airship’s design emphasizing safety. The airship incorporates a high-strength, multi-layer composite material for its envelope and includes several emergency features.
"Importantly, we have developed a thrust-vectored system which enables the airship to accomplish short and vertical takeoffs and landings. This technology holds potential for future application in flying cars and electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft," explained Zhou.
Jin Tao, Deputy Head of the AVIC Special Vehicle Research Institute, remarked on the high technological and development standards of the AS700 within China’s sector of manned airships. He noted its perfect suitability for low-altitude sightseeing and its adaptability for various other low-altitude purposes such as aerial advertising, urban surveillance, aerial mapping, and emergency aid.
Jin also discussed future ambitions for airship innovations. "Eyeing the vast skies of the low-altitude sector, we are exploring more innovative types of airships and application scenarios. Electric-powered airships, unmanned airships, and other innovative models are in the planning phase," he shared.
Anna Muller for TROIB News
The handover was facilitated by the Aviation Industry Corporation of China's Special Vehicle Research Institute, the creative minds behind the airship. Intended for scenic air tours, the AS700 will take advantage of Yangshuo's picturesque landscapes that resemble traditional ink paintings.
The airship can accommodate up to 10 passengers, achieves a top flight speed of 100 kilometers per hour, and can ascend to a maximum of 3,100 meters. Its maximum range is 700 kilometers with a flight duration of up to 10 hours.
Zhou Lei, the chief designer of the AS700, highlighted the significance of the achievement. "Airships have always been in the dreams of the Chinese. Researchers and aviators have been dedicated to the study of airships. Now, we have the AS700, which is a modern airship with completely independent intellectual property rights," he stated.
He further shared specifics about the airship’s design emphasizing safety. The airship incorporates a high-strength, multi-layer composite material for its envelope and includes several emergency features.
"Importantly, we have developed a thrust-vectored system which enables the airship to accomplish short and vertical takeoffs and landings. This technology holds potential for future application in flying cars and electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft," explained Zhou.
Jin Tao, Deputy Head of the AVIC Special Vehicle Research Institute, remarked on the high technological and development standards of the AS700 within China’s sector of manned airships. He noted its perfect suitability for low-altitude sightseeing and its adaptability for various other low-altitude purposes such as aerial advertising, urban surveillance, aerial mapping, and emergency aid.
Jin also discussed future ambitions for airship innovations. "Eyeing the vast skies of the low-altitude sector, we are exploring more innovative types of airships and application scenarios. Electric-powered airships, unmanned airships, and other innovative models are in the planning phase," he shared.
Anna Muller for TROIB News
