Innovative Airships to Receive Electric Propulsion Motors

Evolito will provide their D250 electric propulsion motor for Flying Whales’ LCA60T airship, set to make its debut test flight in 2027, for a more efficient and sustainable mode of transport By Abi Wylie / 05 Feb 2025

Discover World-Leading Unmanned and Autonomous Technologies

Discover cutting-edge solutions from leading global suppliers
SUPPLIER SPOTLIGHT
Innovative Airships to Receive Electric Propulsion Motors
Follow UST

Evolito has formed a collaboration with Flying Whales, a pioneering company in the development of large capacity airships, marking a significant milestone in sustainable cargo aviation.

The collaboration aims to demonstrate both companies’ innovative solutions to real world problems, and to reduce carbon footprints.

Evolito will provide their state-of-the-art D250 electric propulsion motor for the LCA60T airship, which is due to make its debut test flight in 2027. The LCA60T is 200 meters long and has been designed to transport exceptionally heavy loads of up to 60 tonnes. 

Flying Whales’ airships are designed to provide a unique solution for transporting heavy and oversized cargo, especially in regions with limited infrastructure.

By utilizing Evolito’s advanced motors, Flying Whales aims to create a more efficient and environmentally sustainable mode of transport, contributing to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and promoting greener logistics practices worldwide.

Evolito will provide their state-of-the-art D250 electric propulsion motor for the LCA60T airship, which is due to make its debut test flight in 2027. The LCA60T is 200 meters long and has been designed to transport exceptionally heavy loads of up to 60 tonnes. Flying Whales’ airships are designed to provide a unique solution for transporting heavy and oversized cargo, especially in regions with limited infrastructure.

By utilizing Evolito’s advanced motors, Flying Whales aims to create a more efficient and environmentally sustainable mode of transport, contributing to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and promoting greener logistics practices worldwide.

In 2023 Evolito was awarded Design Organisation Approval by the UK’s Civil Aviation Authority and is working towards POA and ISO9001 later this year which will help to reduce certification costs for Flying Whales.

Dr. Chris Harris, Evolito CEO and co-founder, commented, “Flying Whales’ LCA60T airship is a truly inspirational aircraft, demonstrating that electric flight can help solve global challenges – from reducing harmful emissions to delivering critical infrastructure sustainably. 

“Evolito’s unique axial-flux technology enables a new class of lightweight, compact and high-performance electric motor, opening up many new aircraft designs, mission profiles and use-cases -setting new standards in electric propulsion for Aerospace.”

Vincent Guibout, CEO of Flying Whales, said, “When designing an airship, weight is critical. In the three years we have been working together, Evolito has demonstrated the ability to deliver best in class power density from its unique axial flux electric motors along with the ability to ramp production to meet our forecast requirements. 

“There is an excellent synergy between our teams – we share the same passion for enabling electric flight through engineering excellence and innovation – and I look forward to working with Evolito towards the first LCA60T flight and beyond into production and commercial operation.”

Posted by Abi Wylie Edited by Abigail Wylie, Editor and Copywriter experienced in digital media with a keen interest in ocean science technology. Connect
Advancing Unmanned Systems Through Strategic Collaboration UST works with major OEMs to foster collaboration and increase engagement with SMEs, to accelerate innovation and drive unmanned systems capabilities forward.