The Aeroscraft Technology Development Demonstrator Aeros 40D “Sky Dragon” Airship Enters the Final Assembly Stage

With the Aeroscraft ML866 program rapidly moving forward, the technology demonstrator Aeros 40D will play a significant role in the overall process. The program will utilize the Aeros 40D Lighter-than-Air vehicle as a flying test bed to accelerate and mit

(EMAILWIRE.COM, May 21, 2008 ) The Aeroscraft Technology Development Demonstrator Aeros 40D “Sky Dragon” Airship Enters the Final Assembly Stage.

May 15, 2008 Los Angeles, California

Today Aeros announced the beginning of the final assembly of the Aeros 40D Sky Dragon airship, manufacturing s/n 21.

With the Aeroscraft ML866 program rapidly moving forward, the technology demonstrator Aeros 40D will play a significant role in the overall process. The program will utilize the Aeros 40D Lighter-than-Air vehicle as a flying test bed to accelerate and mitigate risks in the Aeroscraft program. A variety of flight experiments will be conducted to demonstrate and flight-qualify the key enabling technologies and systems such as the buoyancy managements system, low speed control system, flight management system and variety of flight critical subsystems.

The Aeros 40D is United States Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Type Certified airship and featuring the advanced technology package, which makes the airship a perfect platform to be utilized for variety of the Aeroscraft development and testing. The Aeros 40D will provide many overall advantages from risk reduction to ML866 program acceleration. The numerous advantages can be categorized by time savings through acceleration of the program; flight qualifying components prior to integration and the ability to modify components in parallel to main vehicle construction, all leading to overall cost reduction of the entire program and reduction in program risk in terms of time and cost.

Aeros is the world’s leading manufacturer of wide spectrum of buoyant platforms. Aeros’ innovative approach has transformed the company into one of the leading research and development organizations for the aerospace industry.

About the Aeroscraft: The Aeroscraft is a new type – the variable buoyancy air vehicle designed to control lift in all stages of air or ground operations including the ability to off-load payload without taking on-board ballast. The key features of the Aeroscraft include the rigid structure, vertical takeoff and landing capability, ability to operate at low speed and hover, and from unprepared surfaces. For more information please visit www.aerosml.com/ml866

About Aeros: Aeros is the world's leading lighter-than-air, FAA-certified aircraft manufacturing company. The company's operations involve the research, development, production, operation and marketing of a complete family of Aeros-branded air vehicles used in government and commercial applications. These include non-rigid FAA Type Certified Aeros 40D Sky Dragon Airships, Advanced Tethered Aerostatic Systems and New Type Rigid Air Vehicle - Aeroscraft.

For more information please visit www.aerosml.com