Buoyant discloses four flown cargo-airship prototypes
Buoyant Aero disclosed four flown prototype airships and plans for an autonomous hybrid-electric aircraft aimed at rural middle-mile cargo delivery.
Evidence notes
- The latest subscale prototype was 20 feet long, reached up to 35 miles per hour and carried a 10-pound payload.
- Buoyant's hybrid architecture generated about 70 percent of lift from helium and the remainder from tilt rotors used during takeoff and landing.
- The company targeted a 60-foot autonomous vehicle carrying up to 650 pounds and reported $5 million in customer letters of intent.
Company context
Buoyant Aero builds autonomous lighter-than-air advertising platforms. The company applies electric propulsion, flight controls and persistent airship lift to mobile outdoor brand displays.