Honeywell’s most powerful generator gets first deal with startup

Honeywell International, a US-based technology and manufacturing firm, has secured a deal with Flying Whales Airships Quebec Inc., a startup company, for the purchase of its most powerful generator to power an innovative cargo airship. The hybrid electric airship, which is 200 meters long and has vertical take-off and landing capability, is designed for the heavy load transport market. The deal was announced on Wednesday, and the financial terms were not disclosed.

According to Dave Shilliday, the Vice President and General Manager of Urban Air Mobility and Unmanned Aerial Systems at Honeywell Aerospace, the generator could be used for other hybrid aircraft applications in the future. In fact, one megawatt of power is sufficient to power Honeywell’s 110-acre campus for testing engines in Phoenix, Arizona.

Honeywell’s one megawatt generator would be used four times for each airship, which comes with environmental benefits needed to attain long-term climate objectives. Many startups are developing electric or hybrid aircraft to meet the aviation industry’s sustainability goals.

The French parent company, Flying Whales SAS, and its Quebec-based subsidiary, have raised 162 million euros ($177.57 million) over three financing rounds. The company counts the French and Quebec governments, through its financing arm Investissement Québec, and its French Tech Souveraineté program, among its crucial shareholders.

According to Honeywell, the company that manufactures the generator, the first flight of the LCA60T airship will occur in France at the end of 2025. In addition, Flying Whales intends to produce approximately 150 aircraft in the next decade.

($1 = 0.9123 euros)

(Reporting By Allison Lampert in Montreal; Editing by Shri Navaratnam)

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