Partnership to develop next generation of giant airships

Skeleton Technologies will work with Flying Whales to develop graphene ultracapacitor technology

A manufacturer of ultracapacitors has partnered with French firm Flying Whales to develop large-capacity airships.

Skeleton Technologies will work with Flying Whales to develop graphene ultracapacitor technology to power heavy-lift airships for industrial uses in China and France. The first will be a 60-tonne craft.

The craft is being designed to transport heavy and oversized cargo of up to 60 tonnes either in its 75m-long hold or underslung, at speeds of 100km/h with a range of several thousand kilometres per day.

The helium-filled, rigid-structure airship will use a winch to pick up and unload cargo while hovering. Without the need for conventional take-offs and landings, energy consumption via its hybrid electric propulsion system will be low said Flying Whales.

Skeleton Technologies ultracapacitors will be used in the hybrid propulsion  system. Average power is expected to be 1.5MW with the graphene-based ultracapacitors assisting to cover the additional 2MW peaks for hovering, lifting and stabilisation.