World Awaits the Arrival of the “Flying Whale” – A 200-Meter Airship Outclassing the Airbus Beluga XL

The global aviation industry is abuzz with anticipation for a revolutionary airship that promises to redefine cargo transport. This next‑generation hybrid airship, developed by French aerospace startup Flying Whales, is designed to be approximately 200 meters long—longer than an NFL football field—and boasts a cargo capacity that far exceeds that of the Airbus Beluga XL. In addition to dramatically increasing carrying capacity, this innovative vehicle is engineered to cut significant infrastructure costs by eliminating the need for complex landing facilities.

A Vision Decades in the Making

Flying Whales began researching the airship concept in 2012, with its engineers and designers striving for more than a decade to bring the idea back to life. Drawing inspiration from modern environmental needs, the company’s vision is to create a greener mode of transportation for both cargo and passengers. Unlike traditional aircraft, this hybrid airship uses far less energy, which can help reduce the enormous carbon footprint associated with conventional cargo flights.

Introducing the LCA60T: A Hybrid Airship with Massive Potential

The result of over ten years of development is the LCA60T—a 60‑ton capacity hybrid airship that Flying Whales estimates will operate at only one‑fifth of the cost of current generation heavy cargo planes like the Airbus Beluga. Planned to dwarf competitors such as the Airlander 10 (92 meters long) and the Pathfinder 1 (124 meters long), the LCA60T is projected to be 200 meters from nose to tail with a maximum diameter of 50 meters. Its cargo bay, spanning 96 meters in length, is designed to transport up to 60,000 kilograms of goods per flight, while 180,000 cubic meters of helium will lift the entire load to an operational altitude of 3,000 meters.

Cutting-Edge Structural and Propulsion Technologies

The LCA60T features an advanced “lattice” framework constructed from composite beams and reinforced with metal joints. Flying Whales estimates that over 80 kilometers of composite beams will be used in a single airship. This skeletal framework is sandwiched between 14 pressure‑free helium cells and an outer shell specifically developed to enhance aerodynamic performance and structural integrity. A network of sensors continuously monitors temperature, pressure, and humidity inside the helium compartments to maintain optimal lift conditions during flight.

Cargo operations have been innovatively designed: the vast cargo bay will be built as a robust, integrated compartment with a dual‑door sliding system that uses hydraulic cables to load and unload goods—eliminating the need for a conventional landing strip and significantly reducing infrastructure costs.

For propulsion, Flying Whales aims for a maximum speed of 100 km/h using 32 propeller engines with a combined power output of 4,000 kW (5,360 horsepower). The initial prototype will combine high‑voltage lithium‑ion batteries with turbine generators to drive the electric propeller motors. In the long term, the company plans to further reduce local emissions by transitioning to hydrogen fuel cells.

Strategic Partnerships and Testing Milestones

Notably, British startup Evolito— a subsidiary of Yasa—has announced plans to supply its lightweight, high‑energy‑density D250 electric engines for the LCA60T. Each airship will use 32 engines, each delivering 308 horsepower, to drive the propellers that maneuver the craft in all directions along its outer shell.

Flying Whales intends to begin flight testing the LCA60T in 2027. As a step toward this goal, testing of a prototype outer shell fabric made from ultra‑light polyester (Diatex) began at the end of January 2025. According to PitchBook, the company has secured over USD 300 million in public and private funding and anticipates that it will still be a few years before a full‑scale prototype is flown.

Reference source: The Internet