China's Xiangyun AS700 Manned Airship Completes First Low-Altitude Flight

TapTechNews August 1st news, according to Xinhua News Agency, the Xiangyun AS700 manned airship independently developed by the Special Vehicle Research Institute of the Aviation Industry Corporation of China, under the China Aviation Industry Group, successfully completed the first low-altitude tourism application scenario demonstration flight today in Jingmen City, Hubei Province.

The Xiangyun AS700 flew in a cruising state at a speed of 37.3 miles per hour and a flight altitude of 1640 feet this time. Previously, it also completed the first transfer flight test, rain test and outdoor long-term continuous mooring test. In addition to low-altitude tourism, this airship can also realize low-altitude + transport logistics, low-altitude + intelligent mapping, low-altitude + emergency rescue, low-altitude + urban security and other multi-scenario applications.

TapTechNews note: The AS700 manned airship obtained the type certificate issued by the Civil Aviation Administration of China in December 2023. It is the first advanced manned airship in China that is independently developed in accordance with airworthiness regulations and regulations, has complete independent intellectual property rights, and has obtained the type certificate with thrust vector control function.

The airship adopts a conventional single-bladder layout, a streamlined airbag shape, four X -shaped hard trapezoidal tail fins, and a single-point single-strut non-retractable landing gear. The maximum takeoff weight is 9129.8 pounds, the maximum range is 434.96 miles, the maximum flight time is 10 hours, the maximum flight speed is 62.14 miles per hour, and the maximum number of passengers is 10 people (including 1 pilot).