UK Government awards £2.5m grant to HAV
The UK Government-backed Technology Strategy Board has awarded a £2.5 million grant to Hybrid Air Vehicles Ltd (HAV), as part of a £4 million public and private sector development project to develop specific engineering aspects of HAV's novel hybrid air vehicle.
In order to win this grant, HAV submitted a rigorous technical proposal to a Government-selected panel of aerospace experts.
HAV’s hybrid air vehicle is an amalgam of the best of helicopters, aeroplanes and airships. This aircraft will revolutionise the air cargo transportation market, enabling, for the first time ever, a truly point-to-point 50 tonne cargo carrying capability, with the ability to operate with limited infrastructure and support.
HAV flew the world’s largest aircraft in 2012, the Airlander (the Long Endurance Multi-intelligence Vehicle project in the USA), and is resuming flight trials of that aircraft this year as a prototype for a 50 tonne heavy-lift hybrid aircraft, the Airlander 50.
Two independent studies have calculated the market for these types of aircraft to be between 600 and 1000 units. Ramping up production to 10 a year within five years is projected to lead to the creation of 1800 jobs in and around the Bedfordshire area (the South East Midlands Local Enterprise Partnership region).
Business Secretary Vince Cable said: "The growing aerospace sector has the potential to generate thousands of new jobs and billions of pounds to the UK economy in contracts. That is why so much effort is being put in by government and industry to ensure we stay ahead of the competition and build on our strong position as second in the world for aerospace. "As part our long term industrial strategy we are jointly funding £2 billion of research and development into the next generation of quieter, more energy efficient and environmentally friendly planes. That includes backing projects like Hybrid Air Vehicles innovative low carbon aircraft which can keep us at the cutting edge of new technology. Here is a British SME that has the potential to lead the world in its field."
Hybrid Air Vehicle CEO Stephen McGlennan said: “This Government support shows that HAV has a credible way of solving one of the aerospace industries key challenges – creating a viable low carbon aircraft which can travel for days and for thousands of miles without refuelling, landing without the need for airports. It is a great story of a British company leading the world.”
Also, following last Friday’s successful launch of the HAV304 hybrid aircraft - with Iron Maiden front man (and HAV shareholder) Bruce Dickinson – Hybrid Air Vehicles is running a competition to win flights on this amazing aircraft, with celebrity passengers.
To mark the inflation of the Airlander and celebrate the return to flight in 2014 of its ground-breaking aircraft, Hybrid Air Vehicles (HAV) is offering a prize of two VIP tickets for the first ever passenger flight on a hybrid aircraft. The winners will join Bruce Dickinson - Iron Maiden’s Lead Singer and aviation enthusiast - with a host of celebrities on the historic, inaugural passenger flight, scheduled for 2016.
Bruce Dickinson commented: “This is an amazing opportunity for members of the public to enter a free competition to join me on this unique and once-in-a-lifetime flight, surrounded by a select group of A-list passengers. There are only 20 seats available, so these will be the most sought after tickets in 2016.”
In addition, HAV is simultaneously launching a supporters club – the Airlander Club – which is open to everyone and offers a number benefits.
