AKRON, Ohio (AP) -- The next generation of the well-known Goodyear blimp has made its first flight, cruising over part of northeast Ohio beneath bright blue skies.
A spokesman for Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. tells the Akron Beacon Journal the airship had no problems during the debut Monday from a hangar in the Akron area.
Goodyear says the high-tech, helium-filled airship is bigger, quicker and more maneuverable. It has a semi-rigid internal structure that wasn't present in earlier models and raises questions about whether it is truly a blimp, though the company still refers to it as such.
The airship's silver balloon-like body is emblazoned with Goodyear's yellow logo on a blue background.
The so-far-unnamed airship is expected to have a longer flight range and better aerial broadcast capabilities for event coverage.
More from MBTMag.com
GM Recalls SUVs For Air Bag Problem
Ohio Fights Tesla Over Sales Model
Yellen To Announce Fresh Economic Forecasts, Possible Policy Shift