PALMDALE, Calif., Nov. 17, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- The Federal
Aviation Administration (Seattle Aircraft Certification Office)
recently approved Lockheed Martin's (NYSE: LMT) project specific
certification plan for the Hybrid Airship.
Given that Hybrid Airships did not fit within existing FAA
regulations, the team worked to create a new set of criteria
allowing non rigid hybrid airships to safely operate in a
commercial capacity. Transport Canada was also involved in the development of
this criteria to ensure it included safety concerns unique to
Canada.
Lockheed Martin and the FAA have been working together for more
than a decade to define the criteria to certify Hybrid Airships for
the Transport Category. This criteria was approved by the FAA in
April 2013. Following that approval, the team has been
developing the project specific certification plan over the past
two years, which details how it will accomplish everything outlined
in the Hybrid Certification Criteria.
"The approval of the certification plan represents an important
risk reduction milestone for our customers," said program manager.
Dr. Robert Boyd. "Completing this
step took dedication from both the Lockheed Martin system experts
and the FAA, who worked meticulously through thousands of detailed
items to achieve consistent and accurate verification statements
covering the entire aircraft."
Hybrid Airships can affordably transport heavy cargo to and from
remote locations thanks to their unique shape and air cushion
landing system. They requiring little to no fixed ground
infrastructure and burn significantly less fuel compared to
conventional aircraft making them an environmentally friendly
solution to remote cargo delivery.
Earlier this year Lockheed Martin along with Hybrid Enterprises
LLC kicked off sales for the 20 ton variety of the Hybrid Airship.
They are on track to deliver operational airships as early as
2018.
For additional information, visit our website:
http://www.lockheedmartin.com/us/products/HybridAirship.html
About Hybrid Enterprises
Headquartered in Atlanta,
Georgia, Hybrid Enterprises is the exclusive reseller of
Lockheed Martin's Hybrid Airships. Hybrid Enterprises
is comprised of industry professionals who have sold, leased and
operated cargo aircraft in over 120 countries on six
continents. Hybrid Enterprises is solely focused on sales and
marketing of Lockheed Martin's Hybrid Airships.
About Lockheed Martin
Headquartered in Bethesda,
Maryland, Lockheed Martin is a global security and aerospace
company that – with the addition of Sikorsky – employs
approximately 126,000 people worldwide and is principally engaged
in the research, design, development, manufacture, integration and
sustainment of advanced technology systems, products and
services.
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SOURCE Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company