Carbon fibre and glass fibre composite structures are used for the rigid elements of the 45.5 m long aircraft, including the fins and payload module.
The hull is made of a laminated fabric consisting of multi-layered Vectran weave, Tedlar, Mylar and polyurethane, and fills with helium.
The landing gear is fully retractable in flight, and the air-cushion landing system comprises of hover skirts on the underside of the outer hulls that also provide amphibious capability.
A wheeled, casting ground cradle supports the fuel tank and there is a stowable mooring mast.
Fibre optic control systems are used throughout. The low-pressure pneumatic system powers the flight control actuators and provides low susceptibility to lightning strike and electromagnetic interference. There is a dual-channel, optically signalled flight control system, plus pressure control by multiple airbags fore and aft in each of the two outer hulls.
