Next generation air travel tested in our labs

Our state-of-the-art modelling hall is usually used for physical models of coastal engineering schemes. But now we have helped test Airlander, an ultra-low emissions aircraft that doesn’t need runways or airports

Airlander can take off and land on water, so we tested the landing gear in various wave conditions

The tests measured pressures in the inflatable landing gear and the periods of vibration, which will guide follow-on work for the aircraft certification programme.

See the work in our new film...