American Blimp Lightship A-170

In production

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Helium filled non-rigid airship. Includes the variant A-170LS Lightsign. Surveillance version known as Spector 50. AirSign acquired program from American Blimp Corporation in 2017, then Skyship Services acquired assets and IP in 2023.

Lift type

Lighter than air

Assembly

Factory-built

Control

Piloted

Engine type

Piston

Application

Utility

Design & construction

The aircraft as engineered: what it is built from, the systems it flies with, and its configuration — each box a theme.

Airframe & structure

Ice protection

None

Pressurisation

Unpressurised

Systems & avionics

Flight controls

Mechanical

Autopilot

2-axis

Configuration & certification

Minimum crew

Technical reference compiled with AI research; a value appears only where two independent research passes and a web fact-check agree. Gaps are deliberate.

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Type variants

Variant	Launch / first flight	Production end	Notes
American Blimp Lightship A-170	2006 / 2006		Patrol airship, nicknamed the Holdenberg.

Airframer

Skyship Services, Inc. (was AirSign / American Blimp)

Information on this page is compiled from a variety of published sources; links do not necessarily imply recommendation or confirmation by the airframe manufacturer.