Alxa league: The birthplace of the largest airship in the world

By Liu Yufen (chinadaily.com.cn)

Updated: 2014-11-14

On November 7 the Alxa League airship base, in North China’s Inner Mongolia autonomous region, became the birthplace of the largest airship in the world. The airship, which is currently in the adjustment stage, will soon undergo its maiden flight, albeit a trial one.

Airship base in Alxa League, Inner Mongolia autonomous region.[Photo by Liu Yide/Xinhua]

As the largest airship in the world, the BNST-KT-02, as it is known, measures 100 meters in length, 30 meters in diameter and weighs 13 tons. The gargantuan airship also has a payload of 2 tons and can reach a maximum height of between 6,000 to 7,000 meters.

China Airship Base, the airship's birthplace, commenced operation in February 2013 and is a key project of Alxa League and the Inner Mongolia autonomous region. Following the successful trial flight of its first airship in August, the base has already manufactured a total of four different airship models.

An airship, also known as a dirigible, is a type of aerostat that can navigate through the air under its own power. It gains lift from a large gasbag filled with helium gas, or other buoyant gasses, that are less dense than the surrounding air. This type of aerostat is lightweight, safe and convenient in operation. Its usage is mainly applied for state security, resource observation, environmental protection, disaster prevention and control, as well as in the field of telecommunication.