The aerospace company SABCA will develop and supply the electromechanical actuators for the flight controls of the world's largest airship, the LCA60T (Large Capacity Airship 60 Tons) project designed by the French startup Flying Whales. SABCA will equip the airship with innovative technology, the result of expertise developed in the field of space launchers and transposed to other applications.

The actuators can be likened to the muscles of an aircraft and generate mechanical movements. The LCA60T will be a 200-meter long aircraft carrying up to 60 tons of cargo. Capable of loading and unloading in hovering flight, it will be able to fly up to 100km/h. With its innovative hovering technology, which reduces its footprint, and its 60-ton load capacity, Flying Whales represents a great asset for the future of air cargo and will be able to connect difficult to reach, remote areas

By contributing to this project, the century-old Belgian company is actively participating in the ecological transition of the aeronautical sector and is putting its knowledge to good use in the decarbonization of the aviation sector. SABCA is redeploying specific knowledge acquired through space programs, and the technology provided by SABCA is the result of the long experience acquired by the Belgian company in the field of space launchers, which it has been able to transpose to other fields in particular through research and innovation programs conducted by the company. The award of this contract is a further demonstration of the strategic importance of the investments made by the public authorities in the fields of space and defense, enabling Belgian manufacturers to position themselves as leading players in meeting the sustainability challenges facing the global aerospace industry.

"SABCA invests in numerous research and development projects in favor of the ecological transition of the aviation sector. We are proud to see this research work lead to real applications that meet market expectations. This contract is also a further confirmation that our strategy of leveraging our innovations in space launchers to the aviation market is paying off," said Thibauld Jongen, CEO of the SABCA Group.

"SABCA has succeeded in anticipating future needs and has demonstrated its expertise and ability to provide innovative solutions. Above all, SABCA's teams were able to meet Flying Whales' needs in an optimal manner," said Vincent Guibout, Vice Executive Officer of Flying Whales.

The first electromechanical actuators developed and produced by SABCA will come off the brand new production line at its Brussels site at the end of 2023. They will then be handed over to Flying Whales, which will integrate the equipment into its aircraft, scheduled to make its first flight in late 2024.

The development will mobilize all the engineering skills of SABCA and will ultimately generate about up to 15 direct full-time equivalents for a thousand actuators to be delivered over the next 10 years.