SkyHook JHL-40

The SkyHook JHL-40 was a proposed hybrid airship and helicopter. On 9 July 2008 Boeing announced that it had teamed up with SkyHook International, a Canadian company, to develop it. According to company spokespeople the aircraft would combine the best features of a blimp and a helicopter and carry a 40-ton load up to 200 miles without refuelling; at 302 feet long it would have been the largest helicopter in the world, and it could fly up to 800 miles without a load. It would use helium to lift its own weight and four helicopter rotors to lift the load and to propel the aircraft, so it need not jettison helium after unloading. The JHL-40, or Jess Heavy Lifter, is named after Pete Jess, president and chief operating officer of SkyHook International, which owns the patent. It was never certified by Transport Canada or the FAA, and development was halted in 2010 pending 100 million dollars in public funding.