#Composites

2025-06-26

FLYING WHALES selects HEXCEL for the supply of composites materials for its LCA60T AIRSHIP

In order to accelerate the transition to a low-carbon economy, FLYING WHALES (FLWH) and HEXCEL are collaborating on an exciting project to develop the most adapted solutions for airship structures.

Flying Whales and Hexcel are celebrating the collaboration © 2025 Hexcel

The team is proud to collaborate with Hexcel, a global leader in advanced composite materials for aerospace applications. Hexcel’s extensive experience and innovation in carbon fiber technology have established the company as a trusted partner in the industry.

For the airship project, a wide range of Hexcel’s products has been selected, with particular emphasis on HexTow® IMA Carbon Fiber. This material has been chosen for the pultruded tubes that form the skeleton of the airship.

HexTow® IMA offers an exceptional balance between cost-efficiency and high mechanical performance, including superior tensile strength and modulus—making it ideally suited to the demands of the airship’s innovative structure. Hexcel’s ongoing commitment to advancing composite technologies supports the project's goals of achieving outstanding performance and reliability.

"Together with Flying Whales, we are thrilled to be part of the visionary LCA60T airship project — a bold step forward that perfectly aligns with Hexcel’s purpose: “We propel the future of flight and transportation through excellence in advanced material solutions that create a better world for us all.

Over the past two years, Flying Whales and Hexcel have made significant progress together to develop a comprehensive range of cutting-edge composite materials. To meet Flying Whales' requirements and technical constraints, Hexcel has developed materials such as prepregs, carbon fibers, fabrics, adhesives... Our composites are lighter and stronger than any other comparable material, enabling cleaner, more efficient and more sustainable air mobility. We are very proud to be working with Flying Whales to achieve excellence and customer satisfaction", says Thierry Merlot, President, Europe Middle East Africa Asia Pacific, HEXCEL.

Vincent Guibout, CEO, FLYING WHALES, says: "Working with HEXCEL Composites has been a great journey. Their expertise in composite raw materials, their ability to develop and qualify aerospace products and to provide the most adapted solution have been crucial in bringing the LCA60T airship to life. This airship represents a significant leap forward in developing sustainable cargo transport, and we are excited to see the positive impact it will have on improving logistics in remote areas. By leveraging strong and light-weight composite materials, we are committed to creating an airship with minimal environmental impact."

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BTMA backs global growth while investing in future UK leaders

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