Construction is complete in Southern California on a massive blimp-like airship that the military hopes to use to carry cargo around the globe.
The Los Angeles Times reports that a first flight for the 36,000-pound aluminum and carbon fiber Aeroscraft could come in the next few months.
It was built by Montebello-based aircraft maker Worldwide Aeros, under a $35 million contract from the Pentagon and NASA. Construction took place inside a 17-story wooden blimp hangar at the former military base in Tustin, Calif.
The newspaper says the Aeroscraft is a new type of hybrid aircraft that combines airplane and airship technologies. The 230-foot airship has piston engines that allow it to move vertically and a new type of buoyancy control system.
The company says it will ultimately carry up to 66 tons.
