Honeywell sells most powerful generator to cargo-blimp startup
Spencer Platt
Honeywell International (NASDAQ:HON) on Wednesday said its most powerful generator will be used for cargo-carrying blimps made by startup Flying Whales Airships. The companyâs electric hybrid aircraft are scheduled to begin flights in 2025, according to an announcement.
The generators will supply electricity to the four engines on Flying Whalesâs LCA60T, a 650-foot vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) aircraft that will carry 60 tons of cargo. The helium-filled blimp wonât need an airport for takeoffs and landings, and will be able to fly to remote areas without railways or roads. Terms of the agreement weren't disclosed.

Megawatt generator Photo: Honeywell
"Honeywell's 1-megawatt generator is a perfect fit for a transformational aircraft like the LCA60T," Dave Marinick, president of engines and power systems at Honeywell Aerospace, said in a statement. "Our generator is four times as powerful as any other generator flying today, and at unmatched power density."
Flying Whales, a startup that has received venture funding from the French and Quebec governments, is among the companies developing cargo blimps that emit fewer greenhouse gases than traditional aircraft. The company plans to build 150 aircraft in the next 10 years, according to Honeywell (HON).

Artist rendering of Flying Whales cargo blimp Source: Flying Whales
Honeywell's stock (HON) in the past year has fallen 1.8%, compared with an 11% decline for the Standard & Poor's 500 stock index (SP500).
Seeking Alpha contributor Jonathan Wheeler rates Honeywell (HON) as a Buy as his top pick in industrials. Columnist Stephen Simpson also has a Buy rating on Honeywell (HON) on its growth prospects.