Modern airships of the world

The year 2025 can rightfully be called the year of the modern airship. Although airships have not yet become a widespread mode of transportation, interest in them is resurging in advanced countries such as Germany, France, China, Great Britain, Israel, and Russia.

New Generation Airships' are planned to be utilized for various purposes, including:

• advertising campaigns

• sightseeing tours

• scientific research

• special operations

• passenger and cargo transportation

Modern airships currently exist primarily as prototypes and test models.

Testing is underway for the Airlander 10 airship, developed by the British company Hybrid Air Vehicles. The first prototype crashed in 2016, but development and improvements continue. Airlander 10 is intended for both passenger and cargo transportation.

Additionally, the experimental airship Pathfinder 1, developed by LTA Research, is undergoing flight tests. This craft is designed to test new technologies and materials in airship construction.

In Russia, airships are being developed by the company AERONOVA in collaboration with Bauman Moscow State Technical University and the Moscow Aviation Institute. Within the framework of the "New Generation Airships'" project, AERONOVA plans to produce up to 4 airship models, including manned and unmanned, passenger and cargo versions.

In 2025, AERONOVA successfully conducted tests of its first unmanned airship NOVA-01 and is preparing the NOVA-02 airship for testing.

Currently, the only commercially operating airship remains the Zeppelin NT, produced by the German company Zeppelin Luftschifftechnik GmbH. However, this situation may change within the next 3–5 years, making passenger airships a new form of transportation.

Zeppelins ceased to be used after the Hindenburg disaster in 1937. The Hindenburg tragedy became symbolic of the end of the passenger airship era. The airship, carrying 97 people on board, suddenly caught fire and crashed to the ground, burning completely within 34 seconds. Despite the tragic outcome, 61 out of the 97 people aboard survived, indicating a relatively high survival rate compared to airplane crashes.

Nevertheless, the disaster shocked the world, and airship operations significantly declined.

What opportunities do modern airships offer?

Technological advancement. Efficient materials, engines, and control systems enable airships to achieve higher speeds and carry heavier loads.

Economic viability. In certain areas, such as cargo delivery to remote regions or logistics in the Arctic, airships can be more cost-effective compared to other modes of transportation.

Versatility. Airships can be employed across various sectors, including logistics, tourism, scientific research, and even as aerial advertising platforms.

Capability to land in remote locations. Airships do not require runways and can land in areas inaccessible to other types of transport.

Therefore, the revival of airships represents a necessary step that will enhance existing transportation options and provide numerous significant advantages.

Economic benefits. Airships have lower operational costs compared to airplanes and helicopters, including fuel and maintenance expenses.

Speed and maneuverability. Airships can surpass trains and cars under certain conditions, easily navigating between remote regions where ground transportation may encounter obstacles such as mountainous terrain or rivers.

Environmental friendliness. Airships are a more environmentally friendly option compared to other modes of transportation. They can operate on alternative energy sources, such as solar panels or electric motors, thereby minimizing harmful emissions into the atmosphere.

The revival of airships could become an important step toward a sustainable and efficient transportation system of the future.

In Germany, in Friedrichshafen, you can experience flights aboard the Zeppelin NT airship. Friedrichshafen is the operational base for Zeppelin NT airships and also hosts a museum dedicated to the history of airship construction. Flights on the Zeppelin NT provide breathtaking bird's-eye views of Lake Constance and the surrounding area.

In Russia, there is also an operational airship, NOVA-01 — the first unmanned vehicle within the "New Generation Airships'" project. NOVA-01 is currently undergoing testing, during which the AERONOVA team is gathering data to enhance future models and optimize production technologies. In the near future, NOVA-01 will complete its first full-scale flight, after which testing of the second airship, NOVA-02, prepared for trials, will commence.

Most modern airships are currently in development and research stages.

Airships fly at specialized sites and airfields during testing phases, evaluating control systems, piloting methods, take-off, landing, and mooring procedures.

For example, the NOVA-01 airship underwent tests at the "Novinki" airfield in the Moscow region. Testing included steering thrusters, propulsion engines, thrust vectoring systems, and the automated operation of pressure relief valves.

During flight tests, telemetry recording was initiated to train the autopilot system. The collected data will be used to improve future models and optimize production technologies.

With technological advancements and growing interest in environmentally friendly and comfortable modes of transportation, passenger airships could find their place in transportation infrastructure.

• Safe helium gas, advanced safety and navigation systems minimize risks of crashes, disasters, and emergency situations during flights.

• Resistance to weather conditions and turbulence will ensure smooth and comfortable flights.

• Sightseeing flights over landmarks and cruise journeys with stops in picturesque locations.

• Intercity, international, and intercontinental travel.

• Transporting workers to remote construction sites, research camps, or offshore oil platforms.

• Delivering doctors, engineers, or other specialists to regions with absent or poorly developed infrastructure.

Passenger airship projects are currently in the development stage. Perhaps, in the near future, airship travel will become a new reality of the 21st century.

Airship construction in Russia is experiencing a revival. In 2024, the "New Generation Airships'" project was launched, within which the AERONOVA company plans to develop and deploy airships for a wide range of applications: from lightweight stratospheric aerostats to rigid heavy-lift cargo airships.

In less than a year, the "New Generation Airships'" project has demonstrated impressive results: launching a stratospheric probe, conducting flight tests of the NOVA-01 airship, and developing the second airship, NOVA-02.

The AERONOVA company is showcasing airship developments that can once again take to the skies and become part of sustainable and modern transportation solutions of the future.