The electric cargo airship project could reduce infrastructure development costs in remote areas.
A groundbreaking partnership between two aviation companies aims to revolutionize how we transport heavy cargo, especially in remote areas. UK-based Evolito Limited and French company Flying Whales are joining forces to create an electric cargo airship that can carry loads as heavy as five adult elephants – a capacity that could transform everything from disaster relief to renewable energy infrastructure development.
The LCA60T electric cargo airship, scheduled for its first test flight in 2027, will stretch longer than two football fields at 200 meters. It will use 32 specialized electric motors to lift and transport cargo weighing up to 60 tonnes, making it one of the most ambitious sustainable transport projects in development. This massive aircraft will operate at altitudes between 300 and 3,000 meters, providing flexibility for various cargo missions.
Meeting Remote Transportation Challenges
The airship addresses a critical problem in areas with poor infrastructure. Current options for moving heavy equipment to remote locations often require building temporary roads or using multiple helicopters, which can damage the environment and cost millions of dollars. In mountainous regions, road construction for a single heavy equipment delivery can cost upwards of $5 million per kilometer.
Flying Whales’ solution could help transport wind turbine blades to mountaintop installations or deliver heavy machinery to remote mining sites without building new roads. This capability could significantly reduce the environmental impact and costs associated with infrastructure development in remote regions. For example, delivering a single wind turbine blade to a mountaintop site traditionally requires either multiple helicopter trips or extensive road construction – the electric cargo airship could accomplish this in a single flight.
Operational Costs and Economic Impact
Analysis of operational costs shows significant potential savings for the electric cargo airship compared to traditional heavy transport methods. While a conventional cargo helicopter operation can cost between $15,000 to $20,000 per hour (industry average), preliminary estimates suggest the electric cargo airship could operate at 40-50% lower costs.
The airship’s ability to deliver directly to remote locations eliminates the need for temporary infrastructure, saving millions in construction costs per project. Fuel expenses are expected to be 70% lower than conventional aircraft, primarily due to the efficiency of electric propulsion and the ability to recharge through solar panels during flight.
To illustrate the economic impact, consider a typical remote construction project requiring 500 tonnes of equipment delivery. Using the electric cargo airship instead of traditional methods could save approximately $2-3 million in combined transportation and infrastructure costs, making previously impractical projects economically viable.
Weather Capabilities and Safety Systems
The LCA60T electric cargo airship includes advanced weather monitoring and navigation systems designed to operate safely in various conditions. The airship can operate in winds up to 50 kilometers per hour and moderate precipitation, though severe weather would ground operations. The aircraft’s sophisticated weather radar system provides a 300-kilometer advance warning of severe weather conditions.
The LCA60T electric cargo airship incorporates multiple advanced safety systems to ensure reliable operation. The triple-redundant propulsion system allows continued safe flight even if multiple motors fail simultaneously. The automated emergency landing system can guide the airship to the nearest suitable landing zone if needed, while the advanced ballast management system maintains stability in varying load conditions.
Advanced Electric Technology
The heart of this project lies in Evolito’s D250 electric motors. Each motor weighs about as much as two car tires (13 kg) but can generate enough power to run 120 homes simultaneously (240kW peak power). The company had to overcome significant engineering challenges to achieve this level of performance in such a compact design.
This power-to-weight ratio makes these motors the most efficient in their category, producing 18.5 kilowatts per kilogram. This efficiency is crucial for the airship’s ability to carry heavy loads while maintaining its environmental benefits. The motor’s design represents a significant advancement in electric propulsion technology.
See also: Electric Airplanes; How MIT Researchers Could Electrify Aviation With New Engine Design.
Environmental Impact and Market Applications
Traditional cargo transport methods, like trucks and cargo planes, produce significant greenhouse gas emissions. While specific emission reduction figures for the LCA60T electric cargo airship are not yet available, electric propulsion typically produces zero direct emissions during operation. This could represent a major step forward in reducing the carbon footprint of heavy cargo transportation.
Market analysis reveals diverse applications across several industries. The renewable energy sector is expected to utilize approximately 30% of available flight hours, primarily for wind turbine and solar panel installation in remote locations. Mining and resource extraction operations could account for 25% of flights, transporting heavy equipment to otherwise inaccessible sites. Disaster relief operations may comprise 20% of missions, providing rapid response capabilities in areas with damaged infrastructure. Construction projects are projected to use 15% of flight time, while specialized cargo transport will make up the remaining 10% of operations.
Future Implementation and Industry Impact
Vincent Guibout, CEO of Flying Whales, emphasizes that minimizing the electric cargo airship’s weight was crucial to the project’s success. The partnership with Evolito began three years ago, focusing on developing motors that could meet both power requirements and production demands.
Dr. Chris Harris, Evolito’s CEO and co-founder, views the project as a demonstration of electric flight’s potential to address global challenges. The technology could open up new possibilities for aircraft design and mission profiles beyond heavy cargo transport.
While the first test flight is still three years away, both companies are already planning for commercial production. The timeline for full commercial deployment is currently unknown, but the industry implications could be significant. Success could lead to a new era of sustainable heavy cargo transport, particularly in regions with limited infrastructure.
