The electric manned airship AS700D, developed by AVIC, successfully completed its inaugural test flight in Hubei, China. This milestone represents a significant advancement in China’s green aviation sector. The AS700D, designed to carry ten passengers, achieved a zero-emission and low-noise flight, reaching a maximum speed of 80 kilometers per hour and an altitude of 3,100 meters.
Equipped with high-performance lithium-ion batteries developed by EVE Energy, the AS700D marks China’s first fully electric manned airship. These batteries are specifically tailored for low-altitude flight applications, supporting a maximum discharge rate of 8C pulse and a continuous output rate of 3C. The battery system features a double-layer module structure and a dual-pack parallel redundancy design, ensuring safe operation even in the event of a single pack failure.
During the initial flight test, the AS700D successfully conducted four vertical take-offs and landings, showcasing excellent hovering stability and maneuverability. Pilots reported that the airship is easy to handle and offers a comfortable ride, with significantly reduced noise levels compared to traditional fuel-powered airships. Zhou Lei, Chief Designer of AVIC Special Vehicle Research Institute, stated, “Tests have shown that the batteries provided by EVE Energy significantly improve the static balance of the airship and the take-off & landing maneuverability, ensuring its good performance and operability even in environmentally friendly and noise-sensitive areas.”
The successful maiden flight of the AS700D thoroughly evaluated the airship’s maneuvering and power characteristics, establishing a strong foundation for future applications. EVE Energy plans to continue its research and development efforts in high-safety, high-energy-density battery technologies. This ongoing work aims to supply more diverse power solutions for China’s aviation products, thereby supporting the sustainable growth of the Chinese low-altitude flight industry.
The collaboration between AVIC and EVE Energy in developing the AS700D highlights the potential of electric propulsion systems in reducing the environmental impact of aviation. As the industry moves towards more sustainable technologies, advancements like the AS700D’s electric powertrain and sophisticated battery management systems are crucial for achieving long-term environmental and operational goals.
Source: EVE Battery
