article_snippet: Longer than a soccer pitch and filled to the brim with helium, at 302 feet long, The Airlander 10 will be the world's biggest aircraft.
article_snippet: The Airlander 10 was originally created by British design company Hybrid Air Vehicles (HAV) for military surveillance by the U.S. Army.
article_snippet: The Airlander 10 -- named because it can carry 10 tons -- is made of a bespoke fabric of carbon fiber, kevlar and mylar, while the pressure of the helium inside maintains the aircraft's shape.
article_snippet: Diesel fuel helps The Airlander 10 -- named because it can carry 10 tons -- take off and land and powers the propellers.
article_snippet: Robinson, said: "The Airlander does have one big benefit over UAVs.
article_snippet: The Airlander can lift a heavier payload than most drones so allows for radars, better cameras, multiple sensors, etc.
article_snippet: The Airlander is also manned (piloted) which gives "The Airlander more flexibility in being able to deploy to where "The Airlander is needed.
article_snippet: Robinson also highlighted commercial possibilities for the Airlander, such as long-range cargo airships and humanitarian missions.
article_snippet: While helicopters can also land anywhere, helicopters can also land anywhere are limited in payload and range -- plus "The Airlander is much more efficient thanks to "The Airlander hybrid 'lifting body' design.
article_snippet: While Robinson calls it "the most promising lighter-than-air vehicle project we have seen in a long time," only successful first flight tests at the end of the year and further demos and trials will show off the Airlander 10's true capabilities.
highlights_snippet: The Airlander 10 is a 300-feet long hybrid aircraft .
  
highlights_snippet: Originally designed for U.S. military, The Airlander 10 is now backed by the UK government .