U.K.-based Airlander cashes in with U.S. crowdfunding

U.K.-based Hybrid Air Vehicles (HAV) opened a crowdfunding round in the United States for its Airlander 10 hybrid airship, which resumed test flights in May, following a nine-month hiatus after sustaining damage during a rough landing in August 2016.

Airlander closed two successful crowdfunding rounds in the U.K., but U.S. investors were barred from investing due to U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission regulations. Globally, HAV plans to raise US$5 million during this fundraising round.

The Airlander 10 hybrid airship’s initial use would be for defense and security roles, including air and missile defense, intelligence, and communications, HAV said. Other uses for these hybrids include air cargo transport, civil communications and luxury tourism.