The world's biggest aircraft reminds some people of Kim Kardashian
The world's biggest aircraft is nearly ready for takeoff.
Hybrid Aviation Vehicles (HAV) unveiled a fully-assembled Airlander 10 on Monday in a giant hangar north of London.
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HAV announced that the much-anticipated 44,100 pound, 300-foot long aircraft is set to make its inaugural test flight in the upcoming months.
The Airlander 10 was originally developed by the U.S. Army for surveillance. But after the government abandoned the idea due to lack of funding, HAV redeveloped the behemoth into a commercial aircraft.
Although it looks like a thing of the past, Airlander 10 is a modern hybrid that mixes elements of an airship, airplane and helicopter.
HAV says that the aircraft is one of the most environmentally friendly options available: It has the capacity to stay in the sky for days with no need to refuel and produces smaller carbon and noise emissions than most commercial jets.
It can also take off and land on most surfaces -- including water, sand and ice.
"We see it as the future," Nick Allman, HAV's program director, told CNN. "It's going to be cheaper, it's going to be greener, we're going to be able to go to places we can't go to and from now."
The Airlander's unique, aerodynamic shape contributes to 40% of its lift. It also garnered its first celebrity comparison:
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The aircraft is powered by four 325 horsepower V8 diesel engines, which all operate independently. They can propel the aircraft up to 91 miles per hour and provide vertical thrust for takeoff.
The cockpit, which is designed for one pilot and one observer, is similar to that of a typical airplane -- except with the addition of levers and switches for controlling the aircraft's helium chambers.
These helium chambers are the crux of the Airlander 10. Because it doesn't have any internal structure, the Airlander maintains its shape due to pressure stabilization of the helium inside the hull.
The laminated exterior is made from a combination of carbon fiber, kevlar and mylar, and is bullet-resistant, according to HAV.
But Airlander 10 does not want to be a substitute for modern commercial aviation -- just an alternative.
“We will not compete with a 747 flying across the Atlantic, but we can offer the ultimate flight experience for tourism and leisure purposes,” Chris Daniels, Head of Partnerships at HAV, told the BBC.
“It’s perfect for sightseeing because we can have floor to ceiling clear panels, and we can open the windows because we are not flying as high or as fast as traditional planes, but we will not be offering a service to get from A to B as quickly as possible.”
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Cailey studied journalism at SUNY Purchase and french cinema & literature at Paris IV Sorbonne. She is a cynical optimist and Talking Heads karaoke enthusiast. Drop her a line @misscaileyanne
