COVERAGE: Yanko Design - AT2 Aerospace Z1 can bridge remote area with people and cargo

Ida Torres, 20th March 2025

When you envision the future, you probably think of hovercrafts, flying cars, and all the other flying things we’ve seen on The Jetsons and other sci-fi movies and TV shows. But one thing that I randomly think about is what if you needed to transport more people and more cargo? Then you probably still get stuck with airplanes and cargo planes like what we already currently have. But have we ever thought of using blimps and balloons? Apparently, people already have.

The AT2 Aerospace Z1 airship is a groundbreaking hybrid aircraft designed for efficient transport to remote locations. Combining hydrogen-powered thrust vectoring and helium buoyancy, the Z1 can efficiently carry people and goods over 1,000 miles (1,600 km) per trip. Originally a Lockheed Martin project, the Z1 was acquired by AT2 Aerospace, led by Dr. Bob Boyd. Its unique tri-lobe design maximizes lift, with 80% derived from helium and 20% from thrust. The central lobe houses cargo and a 19-passenger gondola, while the lower side lobes feature the Air Cushion Landing System. This system allows the airship to land on virtually any surface, including snow, ice, water, sand, and fields, eliminating the need for traditional transportation infrastructure. The underside fan system can also run in reverse to suck the Z1 to the ground after it’s landed, adding stability when unloading passengers and cargo. It is designed to fly up to 1,400 nautical miles (2,593 km) on a single filling of compressed hydrogen and carry a payload of more than 23 tons (20.8 tonnes).

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