VARIALIFT AIRSHIPS PLC

Varialift Airships Plc is an airship design and manufacture company based in Great Britain. It builds all-aluminium airships for heavy-lift cargo. The company says its design is covered by patents in the USA, Europe and Hong Kong, and a further patent is pending.

The site describes two planned models. The ARH-50 is a 50 tonne payload airship. The ARH-250 is a 250 metric tonne payload craft that is due to follow later. The site says future versions could carry up to 3,000 tonnes.

The site lists features it claims for the design. These include vertical take-off and landing, no need for airport infrastructure or ground crew, and operation in winds of up to 50 knots. The site says the airships fly at 250 to 350 km/h and have a working life of at least 40 years.

The site makes cost and fuel claims. It says the airships burn 80 to 90 percent less fuel than equivalent aircraft and cost 80 to 90 percent less to buy and run than equivalent payload aircraft.

The site says a test rig has validated the technology. The company plans to build a fully operational prototype, called ARH-PT, to train pilots and attract investment for a full manufacturing base.

The site says the company has secured a 40 hectare site in Chateaudun, France, where the models would be built. It estimates the plan would employ about 300 staff within four years. The site also invites investors and enquiries through its contact page.