June 18 - Hybrid Enterprises LLC, acting on behalf of Lockheed Martin, has announced it will be taking orders for Hybrid Airships with deliveries planned as early as 2018.
With more than two-thirds of the world's land area and more than half theworld's population having no direct access to paved roads, HybridEnterprises says its Hybrid Airships enable affordable and safe deliveryof heavy cargo and personnel to virtually anywhere water or land, innormal flying weather conditions with little to no infrastructure.
"Lockheed Martin's Hybrid Airships will significantly reduce the cost andenvironmental impact of remote operations, making it possible to reachlocations previously thought inaccessible," said Rob Binns, chiefexecutive officer of HybridEnterprises.
The technologies required for Hybrid Airships are already mature and havebeen demonstrated in-flight by Lockheed Martin's P-791, a fullyfunctional, manned flight demonstrator.
"We've invested more than 20 years to develop the technology, prove theperformance, and ensure there are compelling economics for the HybridAirship," said Orlando Carvalho, executive vice president of LockheedMartin Aeronautics. "We have completed all required FAAcertification planning steps for a new class of aircraft and are ready tobegin construction of the first commercial model and the completion of theFAA Type certification process."
Work is currently underway on the 20 ton variant at the Lockheed MartinAeronautics facility in Palmdale, California.
Orlando Carvalho (left) and Rob Binns (right) signed ceremonial certificates to symbolize the strategic alliance between Lockheed Martin and Hybrid Enterprises wherein Hybrid Enterprises is chosen to be the exclusive, authorized reseller of Lockheed Martin's Hybrid Airships.