Initial flight tests of the unmanned airship NOVA-01 have commenced

AERONOVA has begun flight tests of the unmanned airship NOVA-01.

Prior to launch, specialists checked the tail thruster engines and assessed the performance of the ballonet air blowers and pressure relief valves. Separately, the functionality of the mooring mast was verified and the airship’s behavior while weathervaning around it was analyzed.

The second stage of testing was the actual launch, during which the following were verified: operation of the main propulsion engines; the thrust-vectoring shaft of the main propulsion engines; and the automatic operation of the pressure relief valves and air blowers.

An important phase of testing was also initiated: recording telemetry to train the autonomous piloting system. Each subsequent flight makes the AI pilot smarter, and therefore more reliable and precise.

All tests are being conducted in stages under the technical flight specification developed by the design bureau. At this time, all tests are proceeding nominally, and the team has identified no critical issues.

*The translation is done with the help of artificial intelligence.