The Airlander 10 is said to be the world's biggest aircraft -- more than 20 meters longer than the Airbus A380 superjumbo.
Airlander 10 —
The Airlander 10 is said to be the world's biggest aircraft -- more than 20 meters longer than the Airbus A380 superjumbo.
ADRIAN DENNIS/AFP/Getty Images
Four diesel V8 engines will propel the Airlander 10 to speeds of up to 91 miles an hour.
Diesel V8 engines —
Four diesel V8 engines will propel the Airlander 10 to speeds of up to 91 miles an hour.
Barry Neild/CNN
Engine fins can be altered to give vectored thrust, allowing the Airlander to carry out vertical takeoffs and landings.
Vertical takeoff —
Engine fins can be altered to give vectored thrust, allowing the Airlander to carry out vertical takeoffs and landings.
Barry Neild/CNN
The current Airlander design was unveiled to the public, fully assembled, for the first time on March 21.
Final assembly —
The current Airlander design was unveiled to the public, fully assembled, for the first time on March 21.
Barry Neild/CNN
Unkind observers have nicknamed Airlander the "flying bum," claiming it looks like a human posterior.
Posterior —
Unkind observers have nicknamed Airlander the "flying bum," claiming it looks like a human posterior.
ADRIAN DENNIS/AFP/Getty Images
Airlander 10 is housed in one of the largest air hangars in the world. The building was once home to the doomed R101, a massive hydrogen-filled airship that crashed in 1930.
Cardington Airbase —
Airlander 10 is housed in one of the largest air hangars in the world. The building was once home to the doomed R101, a massive hydrogen-filled airship that crashed in 1930.
Barry Neild/CNN
The old hangar is a protected building under English planning laws and was carefully restored to accommodate the Airlander. Those overhead drapes are to catch droppings from birds entering the building.
Restoration project —
The old hangar is a protected building under English planning laws and was carefully restored to accommodate the Airlander. Those overhead drapes are to catch droppings from birds entering the building.
Barry Neild/CNN
Pumped full of helium, Airlander 10 demonstrates its buoyancy within the hangar. It faces several weeks of ground tests before it'll be allowed out to fly.
Lift off —
Pumped full of helium, Airlander 10 demonstrates its buoyancy within the hangar. It faces several weeks of ground tests before it'll be allowed out to fly.
Barry Neild/CNN
As well as helium, Airlander contains air chambers that can be filled or emptied to help maintain the aircraft's shape as the helium changes volume at different altitudes.
Air bags —
As well as helium, Airlander contains air chambers that can be filled or emptied to help maintain the aircraft's shape as the helium changes volume at different altitudes.
Barry Neild/CNN
The air pockets, or ballonets, are accessible via hatches in the hull. The helium chambers are not designed for access and would require special breathing equipment to access.
Ballonets —
The air pockets, or ballonets, are accessible via hatches in the hull. The helium chambers are not designed for access and would require special breathing equipment to access.
Barry Neild/CNN
Much like a conventional aircraft, the Airlander is steered using tailfins.
Tailfins —
Much like a conventional aircraft, the Airlander is steered using tailfins.
Barry Neild/CNN
Designed originally for military surveillance, the Airlander's engines operate independently to increase safety. If all four failed, it could still drift to a safe landing.
Safety measures —
Designed originally for military surveillance, the Airlander's engines operate independently to increase safety. If all four failed, it could still drift to a safe landing.
Barry Neild/CNN
Chief test pilot David Burns flew an earlier incarnation of the Airlander in tests over U.S. airspace in 2012.
Chief test pilot —
Chief test pilot David Burns flew an earlier incarnation of the Airlander in tests over U.S. airspace in 2012.
Barry Neild/CNN
Burns, a veteran test pilot who has also worked as a commercial aviator, says the controls are similar to those of a plane. He says most pilots would adapt easily to flying the Airlander.
Aircraft-style controls —
Burns, a veteran test pilot who has also worked as a commercial aviator, says the controls are similar to those of a plane. He says most pilots would adapt easily to flying the Airlander.
Barry Neild/CNN
The Airlander's aircraft control panel also includes switches and gauges to control the helium.
Overhead panel —
The Airlander's aircraft control panel also includes switches and gauges to control the helium.
Barry Neild/CNN
An Airlander simulator has been built inside the hangar. Burns and his team have been familiarizing themselves with the controls before flying the real thing.
Simulator —
An Airlander simulator has been built inside the hangar. Burns and his team have been familiarizing themselves with the controls before flying the real thing.
Barry Neild/CNN
A view of the rear of the aircraft reveals the space where up to 10 tons of cargo could be stowed. Airlander's creators are hoping to develop a newer ship capable of carrying 50 tonnes.
Payload —
A view of the rear of the aircraft reveals the space where up to 10 tons of cargo could be stowed. Airlander's creators are hoping to develop a newer ship capable of carrying 50 tonnes.
Barry Neild/CNN
Airlander 10's engines burn less fuel and make less noise than standard aircraft. It can carry enough fuel to keep it airborne for five days.
Greener skies? —
Airlander 10's engines burn less fuel and make less noise than standard aircraft. It can carry enough fuel to keep it airborne for five days.
Barry Neild/CNN
HAV's program director Nick Allman says the Airlander has the potential to change aviation forever. "We see it as the future," he told CNN.
Flying into the future —
HAV's program director Nick Allman says the Airlander has the potential to change aviation forever. "We see it as the future," he told CNN.
Courtesy Hybrid Air Vehicles
If tests prove successful, the Airlander could be making its first proper UK flights later in 2016.
First flights —
If tests prove successful, the Airlander could be making its first proper UK flights later in 2016.
Oli Scarff/Getty Images/file