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It does not receive public funding Editor in chief: CLARA MOSCHINI
Flying Whales selected Thales' technology for its first airship
Efficiency and manoeuvrability the cornerstones of the French company
Flying Whales, French company founded to develop and industrialize a 60 tons airship, and Thales, industry specialized in aerospace, defence and security, will work together in the construction of avionics solutions for safe flight operations. To equip its first LCA60T airship, the Flying Whales chose the avionics technologies of its French sister to obtain the necessary qualifications by 2024. Thales will provide FlytX avionics suite, equipped with dual screen and flight control system, an innovative solutions to ensure optimal efficiency and maneuverability for future flights of the French airship. With a view to sustainability, LCA60T has developed a heavy-lift solution able to combine operational flexibility with large load capacities, which will allow it to carry up to 60 tons of cargo and unload even in complicated locations to reach. The Flytx flight control computer plays a key role in ensuring the precise control of the airship, transmitting instructions from pilots to actuators. The innovative technology, also approved by helicopter operators, is also suited to the specific needs of future LCA60T crews: thanks to a 15-inch touchscreen interface, it is equipped with an intelligence that can reduce the workload of pilots, maximizing performance and security through quick access to information. Thales estimates to develop new flight computers drawing on his experience as a pioneer of fly-by-wire control for commercial aircraft in the 80s, ensuring, in addition to an ultra-compact form, performance and integrity. "Thales has really taken into account our specific needs as an innovator to integrate their avionics solution on the LCA60T. The success of our airship hinges on our ability to work with real partners that can offer the flexibility and agility we need to complete our development work, and Thales is a prime example of that kind of partner", says Vincent Guibout, Vice CEO and Chief Technical Officer of Flying Whales. "We are especially proud that our flight safety expertise is contributing to the development of tomorrow's sustainable transport solutions with Flying Whales", says Marc Duval-Destin, manager della strategy, product policy and innovation di Thales. The first LCA60T will be assembled in Laruscade, in the Nouvelle-Aquitaine, while the first flight tests will begin in 2024.
