China's independently-developed manned airship AS700D completes first test flight

(ECNS) -- China's self-developed AS700D civil manned airship completed its first scientific test flight in Hubei Province on Friday, marking a major breakthrough in the country's green aviation equipment in the low-altitude economy sector, according to the Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC), its developer.

The airship has a top speed of 80 kilometers per hour, with a flight height of 3,100 meters and a maximum carrying capacity of 10 people, including a pilot.

The first test flight successfully completed four take-offs and landings, evaluating the airship's control and power systems.

The AS700D, a modified version of the first manned airship the AS700, features an advanced lithium battery-powered drive system, a propeller system, a thrust vector system, and a cooling system.

"It is a research airship designed to support the development of new energy technologies, boasting zero emissions and low noise, said Zhou Lei, chief engineer for the AS700 research program at AVIC.

The airship is suited for a range of civilian applications, including low-altitude tourism, aerial advertising, urban security, aviation exploration, and emergency rescue.